The 2005 US Grand Prix

<p>I still don’t quite understand what happened. It seems still somewhat of a mystery. I haven’t heard why the FIA didn’t want to make an exception, and I couldn’t tell exactly why Michelin had problems with their tires. Was the course more than the tires could handle? Or was their a manufacturing defect? It all seems really weird.</p>

<p>My point of view is, Michelin created the problem, there is no exception of them.
Anyway, Michelin type in USGP may lose grip when excessing high speed turn such as turn 13. Thats why Ralf crashed in Friday in exactly same position in last year.
It is a danger situation, no one know when Michelin lose grip in turn 13 during racing in Sunday?</p>

<p>Michelin tires were not <em>losing grip</em> so much as self-destructing because of the stress of turn 13. It was reported that the <em> vertical load </em> of the banked turn was too much for the Michelin tires which were expected to last the entire race (as F1 tires must now do per this year’s rules).</p>

<p>As Bruce stated above, the tires WERE NOT losing grip. Michelin had 3 tire failures during Friday practice and by Sunday racetime they still couldn’t determine exactly why the tires failed. Incidentally, the 3 tires that failed were all on Toyotas.</p>

<p>Michelin flew in new tires from France but were told by the FIA that if the new tires were used, those teams would be penalized. Michelin and the drivers along with their respective teams (excluding Ferrari) pushed to have a chicane placed before turn 13 to reduce the speed in the turn. The FIA denied this proposition. The FIA was placing the blame on Michelin for basically not being prepared with the correct tires.</p>

<p>The drivers using Michelin tires didn’t race because Michelin couldn’t gaurantee the tires would last and strongly urged their teams NOT to race on the tires because safety in the number one concern.</p>

<p>There WAS a race but it only consisted of 6 cars instead of the usual 20 cars. Bridgestone had no problems with their tires and the 3 teams (Ferrari, Minardi and Jordan) using Bridgestones went on to compete and finish the race.</p>

<p>I think in the end it all comes down to a number of things:</p>

<p>Michelin wasn’t prepared with the correct tires and they were right in urging their teams not to race
The teams could have raced on the new tires and paid the points penalty but at least it would have been a complete race
The FIA could have been more flexible on the whole chicane proposal</p>

<p>It must be made clear that it wasn’t the drivers that decided not to race. That decision came down fom the higher-ups throughout all the teams. In fact, David Coulthard could be heard over the race radio during the formation lap stating that he wanted to race. I’m sure more than one of the drivers felt that same way.</p>

<p>I feel bad for the fans that paid to see the race but the throwing of water bottles and other objects onto the track is just completely asanine. There is nothing else to say about that, just plain stupidity.</p>

<p>Sorry for the rant, just wanted to make sure things are clear.</p>

<p>Just to be clear. I was there. I saw first hand what transpired. Out of 140,000 fans…. maybe a few hundred were being unruly. Considering what happened today, how much race tickets cost, how much airline tickets cost, I’d say 99.9% of fans handled themselves incredibly well. Much more respectively than those responsible for the entertainment we paid to see.</p>

<p>I completely agree Gabe. I wasn’t trying to say all the fans were to blame for that stuff but still… throwing objects onto a racetrack while a race is going on is simply stupid regardless of whether it’s 1 person or 1,000 people.</p>

<p>And I completely understand the frustration and anger felt by you and the 140,000+ fans but throwing bottles onto the track is no way to vent that frustration.</p>

<p>If anyone really wants to make their voice heard they should contact the following:</p>

<p><strong>Michelin</strong>
46, rue du Ressort
63100 Clermont-Ferrand
France
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.michelinsport.com">http://www.michelinsport.com</a></p>

<p><strong>FIA</strong>
8 Place de la Concorde
F-75008 Paris
<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.fia.com">http://www.fia.com</a></p>

<p><strong>Formula One Management</strong>
6 Princes Gate
Knightsbridge
London SW7 1QJ
United Kingdom</p>

<p>Just a word from Europe… My countryman Christijan Albers came in fifth! Yay….. (Never mind he was second to last…)</p>

<p>Seriously, this race was a complete farce. I don’t think the location had anything to do with the decision not to race, though. Had it been in Europe, the decision would have been the same. The fans, though, might have reacted much more aggresively over here, which is a big thumbs UP to the US fans (which obviously is not intended for those that threw bottles and what not on the track). </p>

<p>From the POV of rules and regulations, the FIA probably did the only thing they could do, which is putting the problem in Michelin’s court; making any changes to the race itself, such as track changes or allowing tire changes during the race, would be unfair to the Bridgestone teams that did have their act together. The fact the circuit was resurfaced, other tire manufacturers in different series having problems with that, and the Firestone/Bridgestone link gives an interesting insight, though.</p>

<p>From the POV of entertaining the fans, this whole thing was just apalling, and the organisation should work hard to offer them some kind of compensation, and on regulatory measures to ensure this doesn’t happen in the future (e.g. force tire manufacturers to have some kind of baseline tire availabe, consisting of reinforced concrete if it needs to, so that they can at least allow their teams to race).</p>

<p>Hey, who owns that black MINI in Pic #4? LOL…Looks like your car was repaired OK Gabe? Glad to see….</p>

<p>I’ve got some pictures up on Flickr <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/blalor/tags/usgp2005/" title="blalor's pictures tagged with "usgp2005"">tagged with USGP2005</a>. </p>

<p>I found Gabe’s car, but no Gabe! :-(</p>

<p>I was definitely disappointed in the race. I left around lap 10. The whole thing’s a debacle, but the crowd reaction was better than I thought it would be. Considering the makeup of the crowd (I think the non-domestic fans were far outnumbered), comments on how US fans were poor sports was extermely poorly thought-out. I’m not saying we’re saints or anything, but people get killed in Europe at soccer matches when everything’s going <em>right</em>!</p>

<p>A couple of comments …</p>

<p>Chip: The new Michelin tires that were flown in were eventually determined to be no better (because when they were sent, the problem had not been determined). Also, the teams require an “OK” from their suppliers that their products are safe to use – Michelin would not provide this.</p>

<p>I think the key issue is “why should the race conditions be changed just to suit some manufacturers” … as commented, if it was the other way round, many would have been pleased that Bridgestone failed again and prevented Ferrari from racing.</p>

<p>The tragedy is that the fans lost out. Perhaps the track owners should have put in the chicane and made a proper race, irrespective of losing the FIA sanction – doubtless they would then have fights with FIA, but that might be better than fights with fans. In any event I don’t see FIA returning to Indianapolis now.</p>

<p>The Blame starts with FIA and their ONE tire rule!!! Next to Michelin for not being able to produce a tire that worked under these conditions. Bridgestone managed to get it right. Plus, Toyota was the only chasis to have a tire problem. Third to Max and Bernie for their lack of action. </p>

<p>Who is NOT to blame is Tony George, IMS and Ferrari. </p>

<p>Put the shoe on the other foot: do you think BMW or MB would let Ferrari change? NO!!!</p>

<p>I was there and have had the same seats in F1 turn one for all six years. We were stunned. It is questionable if I will renew next year, (if it comes back). I have been an F1 fan for 20 years and I question whether I will watch an other race this year. </p>

<p>F1 had a questionable fan base in the US, now there is no question, it is not going to be popular or welcome.</p>

<p>Formula 1: The banana republic of the motor racing world.</p>

<p>Brian … the one tire rule did not prevent the Michelin teams running; there is a clear allowance to change tires if there is a safety issue – they could have fitted as many tires as they wished during the race. Perhaps later they would have received a penalty, but the one tire rule did not prevent them racing.</p>

<p>Mark, there is no justification in claiming the one tire rule is to blame – it is perfectly feasible to make a tire that handles the track for the race duration; Bridgestone proved it. Michelin could just as easily have made a many-per-race tire with the same failure mode.</p>

<p>The blame must go to the teams that wanted to change the rules of the game because they could not handle the original rules. What if teams said “our engine won’t last the race – we want the length shortened”; is that OK?!</p>

<p>This whole issue is <em>VERY</em> complex. Making a change for Michelin affects Bridgestone, sets a precident for future races, etc, etc, etc.</p>

<p>The bottom line is, Michelin is at fault for causing the problem, but the FIA is at fault (even greater fault IMO) for not doing anything to rectify the situation so as that a real race could go on. The FIA’s whole reason for being is as a sanctioning body, to promote motorsport, and make it safer…okay, there’s a bit more, but that is the general gist of it. The FIA did NOTHING to promote Formula One, and it sure suggested nothing to make it safer (I’m sorry, but having 14 Michelin-shod cars running around turn-13 at half speed, while 6 Bridgestone-shod cars go barrelling by at full song is close to as dangerous as it gets).</p>

<p>It’s just sad that the whole of Formula One and the FIA cares so little about the fans, that this actually happened. There was no good reason that a reasonable compromise could not be reached which would have saw an actual race being run. A power struggle between multi-millionaires (and in some cases billionaires) that played out on the world stage, and completely disgraced the sport of F1 racing, and rubbed the fans faces in a pile of sh*t.</p>

<p>GBMiniGirl – a rather interesting point was brought up that Bridgestone’s sister company Firestone supplies all the tires for the Indy Racing League. Was there perhaps some data shared there? Not sure how relevant the data would have been, but it’s at least something to ponder…</p>

<p>Also the F1 teams do not test at Indianapolis, so the tire companies are basing their tires for the race on data from years past. It’s prefectly plausable to think that the changes in the tire construction (due to the rules of tire sets lasting for one full race), and the resurfacing/diamond-grinding of the track had something to do with Michelin’s problems…they had never seen it before. Not excusing it, just again, something to ponder…</p>

<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/story/3704308">Here&#8217;s a great recap</a> of what Peter Winsdor said on Wind Tunnel last night. It’s one of the better opinions I’ve heard about the entire situation.</p>

<p>Is this the only way Michael Schumacher can win a F1 race this year? Funny, a few weeks ago I read somewhere that the reason Ferrari weren’t doin so well was because of their tyre problems with Bridgestone!
Surely MINI fans must be behind BMW Williams team, because of the group relationship.
Myself, I’ve always been a big Goodyear person – I worked for them in the past back when they were the only tyre in F1. Ah! – back when BMW powered Nelson the Brabham to a World Championship.
So, bring back Goodyear!</p>

<p>Greg W
New Zealand (home of Indy car driver Scott Dixon and Michael Campbell – 2005 US Open winner).</p>

<p>I seem to remember a number of years ago, post Ayrton Senna’s death at Imola, that hastily introduced chicanes (using traffic cones) were introduced at several tracks that year. In fact the Drivers themselves agreed and insisted that these chicanes where placed there on SAFETY grounds, either to slow the cars down or because the run off areas where too small and would need major works to alter and widen them. The “traffic cone” chicanes obviously slowed ALL the cars down at that particular point and therefore, no team or individual car gained any advantage. In all these cases the teams and drivers agreed the most important thing was SAFETY and not the politics of the sport or whether the track owner hadn’t been able to make their run off areas better equipped to deal with potential accidents. It appears then, that if Michelin had concerns for tyres blowing out on turn 13, and the only safe way through that corner was to slow the cars down then it would have been the same for all the teams, ie no advantage to anyone. Apart from being SAFER for everyone, I mean, who’s to say that a Michelin runner maybe blows a tyre and then a Bridgestone runner crashes into that car or runs over the debris from that wreck? I find it a rather narrow view to think that the problem only lies with Michelin and what may have happened to their cars? As an avid F1 fan for more than 25 years I was appalled that the FIA let it get to the point where no solution had been found, and hence the debacle of a “race” which disappointed many fans worldwide and especially those who had travelled to Indianapolis. Michelin did the right thing in advising not to run on those tyres, but the FIA did the wrong thing by not finding a compromise before the start of the race. Anyway that’s my two cents, I hope it didn’t spoil your weekend too much Gabe? Its great to see your new car looking good again!</p>

<p>HH – MINI Cooper S driver in Singapore!</p>

<p>Here are a few things, some of which were not mentioned…</p>

<p>The stands weren’t full. I was in Stand J, which was pretty full (maybe 90%) , but the Tower Terrace looked empty, as did the North Vista. Stands H and C also looked pretty full. Can’t say about Southwest Vista to the Paddock, though.</p>

<p>People started leaving the stands after about lap 2. For those who weren’t there the entire weekend, this would have been a great time to visit the Hall of Fame Museum… or the bigger gift shops. Of course, track officials immediately CLOSED them (for fear of vandalism, apparently Gabe’s 99.9% good behavior estimate didn’t comfort them, but Gabe is right, we American sheep were very well-behaved). Indiana State Troopers were placed outside of the museum, and indoor gift shops (those I passed) were closed too. Bad decision, this was adding insult to injury.</p>

<p>In fact, when a local news camera crew came by and the troopers noticed them starting to go towards race fans who were entirely too willing to give their comments, the troopers escorted the news people straight to their vehicle — surely strictly to ensure that they were able to beat post-race traffic. Nothing like a little strong-arming to brighten one’s day.</p>

<p>Prices for T-shirts at outside venues were way down, though… $1 to $6 at some places, depending on the merchandise.</p>

<p>Class action law suit coming;
<a href="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050620/SPORTS0103/50620006" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050620/SPORTS0103/50620006</a></p>

<p>It’s important to remember that tyres made for F1 and street tyres are WORLDS apart. Everything about F1 is on the leading edge of it technologies. </p>

<p>As if bridgestone can take the high morale ground on tyre saftey! Rememeber what happened with the factory Firestones on Ford Explorers?</p>

<p>The best summary of the problem (with pictures!) can be found here : <a href="http://www.formula1.com/insight/technical_analysis/race/2005/740/149.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.formula1.com/insight/technical_analysis/race/2005/740/149.html</a></p>

<p>I’d like to thank everyone for the comments. As someone who went to the race and saw the travesty unfold first-hand, I find reading everyone else’s views really interesting. </p>

<p>BTW – how many of you would renew if F1 comes back next year? I know I plan on it, assuming I get a chance.</p>

<p>Steve,</p>

<p>I know that Firestone tested there and I’m sure they shared their info. I just find it hard to believe that word didn’t get back to Michelin that other companies were having problems.</p>

<p>Anyway, I plan on buying tickets again next year…if they have another race. I’m just hoping I can convince my husband to go! He’s the one that’s REALLY t’d off.</p>

<blockquote> Class action law suit coming</blockquote>

<p>Now <em>that’s</em> more like us American sheep! ;-)</p>

<p>I am also renewing my seats Gabe. I’ve been an F1 fan for many years (back to Gilles Villeneuve, Jacques dad) and there have been several of these types of “burps” in the past. F1 has survived them and will survive this. I only hope that Indy survives as a race, since in my opinion there may be slightly better tracks in the US for F1, but as an overall facility set to host an event, no place can beat IMS.</p>

<p>Mike</p>

<p>Steve-Thanks!</p>

<p>I missed that information about the other constructors tire woes. It must have gotton lost in all the other press I have been reading.</p>

<p>I am originally from INDY and it is truley the greatest racing facility in the world.</p>

<p>I just read today that FI boss Bernie Ecclestone said (referencing women in F1 racing): ”I’ve got this wonderful notion of women all dressed in white, like all the other domestic appliances.”</p>

<p>Nice one, Bernie. Just goes to show what an idiot you are – stainless steel is “in” now, dude. </p>

<p>I guess if you’re going to pi** off the F1 fan base, you might as well go all the way…</p>

<p>GAbe, I was there with my wife and we were both totally amazed with everything that unfolded as well as how good the fans really were. I have seen some ugly fan rioting (hmmmmm we seem to be known for them here in the Denver/Boulder area)but everyone actually took it very well. We plan on renewing next year, as we have been for all 6 races and have great seats we would hate to loose. The only thing I was disappointed with was our inability to hook up with any fellow MINI drivers and have some fun. Guess I should have done a bot more research before we left. Oh well..we did have a great time and put on a mild 3k miles on our MINI. Hope to see a few owners at next years F1 race!!!</p>

<p>One thing I have not seen commented on here is the fact that the Michelin teams had access to two tread compounds. All the teams choose to only bring one set. Michelin had a tire that would have worked if they would have just tried. Putting the all the blame on them is not fair. The Bridstone teams all brought two different tire compounds with them and were all using the stronger of the two tires.</p>

<p>As an avid Formula One fan and a devoted Ferrari tifosi, I must add my two-cents regarding the “system of operation” that is diminishing the grandeur of this lovely sport…</p>

<p>Gabe, great link to Paul Stoddart’s rant on planet-F1.com. The thing is, who’s side is Stoddart on? </p>

<p>He’s on his own side, that’s his problem. He’s one of those guys in the office who says, “Hey, don’t look at me! I just work here.” And then he’ll cover his a** six ways from Sunday just to blame everyone else for a problem he’s just as invariably involved in as everyone else. He’s got it out for Mosley, that’s for certain. So do others. But then, for the sake of being the outspoken, self-serving, hypocritical martyr that he is, he goes on to place partial blame on Jean Todt for this whole chicane crock. Does anyone out there honestly believe, in light of why this one tire rule was really implemented, that the Michelin teams would have agreed to anything if the Bridgestone teams had been in the same predicament? I think not and in fact, not only NO, but HELL NO!! In a widescreen perspective, here’s a little of why:</p>

<p>Ferrari and Bridgestone have enjoyed a monumental era of success and the Seven and Michelin have become just players in the game. Since the public have stated that they share a DISLIKE for Ferrari and they have developed a “they always win, so why bother watching” attitude to the sport, viewership has apparently, according to Bernie, diminished in light of Ferrari’s success. Max, who is spineless (until it comes to the rules that the FIA governing body strictly adhere to for the sake of “sporting fairness”, and only then does he come out from behind the wall of protection and impose his dutiful position) has always been bullied by Bernie and his elitest managing of the sport. Bernie wants the show to go on, hence the term “circus” that is so widely used in reference to any given venue, and what better way to gain viewership than to mix up the rules? Bernie strongarms Max into implementing a one-tire rule that would ultimately give the teams an advantage over Ferrari. Why? Bridgestone exclusively tests with only Ferrari. The benefits trickle down to Minardi and Jordan, so they don’t really rate. How many teams exclusively test with Michelin? Seven! The whole rest of the field!! Do the math!! Per year, Michelin tests and collects data from their Seven teams that total 100,000 kilometers! Guess how many kilos of testing Ferrari benefits from? 20,000. That’s right, there’s an 80,000 kilometer difference. Why would Ferrari agree to the nonsense of a chicane when all they’ve been all year is battered by a rule change that was directly implemented to cause them defeat? </p>

<p>Sinister Bernie, who wanted a better show and more money for himself, got Spineless Max to use his position as the figurehead of the FIA to implement a one-tire rule knowing that Ferrari would be hindered by it and all the while hiding behind his real intentions claiming it to be a matter of “cost-cutting” measures using Max as the fall guy. Simple, evil ways brought about by a shrewd billionaire businessman. All Ferrari have done is follow the rules and they accepted the challenge of a one-tire rule and have suffered for it. So why should they all of a sudden make an exception for people who would not have given them the time of day had the predicament been reversed? Rules are rules. Ferrari were right in protecting their position in the matter and are not to be played as pawns in the evil chess game that Bernie has come to master so well. </p>

<p>As for Stoddart, he should be thankful that Ferrari do all of his tire-testing for him. If anything, his concern should be for his team and the advantage they gained at Indy, not whether or not Max should resign. Stoddart’s political rants should be kept to himself for he’s turning into a thorn-in-the-side. Stoddart will tell you about everything that’s wrong and who’s to blame for it, yet never offers a solution from his own origin. That is how you win elections. So unless he’s running for the President of the FIA, he needs to mind his manners and his own business and concentrate on the small advantage he gained at Indianapolis by NOT being one of the now infamous “Michelin Seven”.</p>

<p>Don’t know if anyone is still reading this post, but some news from Michelin today:</p>

<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=45430">http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=45430</a></p>

<p>I’ve been quiet on this as I wasn’t even there, but in my opinion, in the beginning of this, Michelin folks were the only ones who actually handled themselves appropriately. I think this shows that they their responsibility seriously.</p>

<p>Yeah, they screwed up and didn’t have tires ready for the track, but as I have read there were lots of reasons that it would have been difficult to have known any better going into this race. Yet, rather than just cross their fingers and hope for no problems (risking the safety of the drivers) to make everyone happy, they did the right thing and told everyone. Can you imagine how much pressure they probably felt to not come out with this info? Still Formula One didn’t cut them any slack and went on without more than 1/2 the racers… only to walk into a PR debacle that will ultimately affect them much more than making accomodations for this race.</p>

<p>It sucks to me that Michelin is taking the fall for this, but apparently they’re the only company involved that has any guts to do the right thing regardless of the bottom line. Just for this, I’ll be making sure my next set of tires says Michelins on the sidewall, there’s a lot to be said for corporate responsibility (and generally excellent engineering)!</p>

<p>-EK</p>

<p>Fixed. BTW it’s great to see Michelin do this. I wanted to post something about it but I waasn’t sure if it really was relevant enough for MF.</p>