As regular readers will know, I am an avid Formula One fan and have been for many years. On the whole I try to keep my views and opinions to myself for they are both strong and controversial, but for once my silence is broken.
Whichever way you look at it, Sunday's race at indianopolis was a complete farce. The world watched a pathetic six car Bridgestone prosession complete the 73 laps whilst the Michelin runners lay dormant in the pits. I'll avoid the in-depth analysis that has gone before on this subject, but the fact is that Michelin advised all teams running it's tyres to not race on safety grounds. The final banked corner was generating too much lateral load in the left rear tyre, causing a failure onRalf Schumacher's Toyota on Friday and potential problems being identified in all Michelin tyres for all teams brought to the circuit for the weekend.
In an attempt to avoid a sporting and commercial disaster, the teams got their heads together to come to a solution. They found one; the Michelin teams would start from the back of the grid and score no points in the Grand Prix regardless of the result, under the proviso that a temporary chicance be built before turn 15. This would slow the cars down sufficiently through the final turn to prevent any potential tyre failure. Not ideal, but there would be a spectacle.
In an alarming display of idiocy, the FIA disagreed with this solution. It appears that the Michelin-shod teams will now be summoned to the FIA for 'Damaging the sport'. What a load of tosh. Nobody can deny that Michelin made a grave mistake with their tyres, but what team would ever allow it's drivers to race when the manufacturer of such a key component advices against it? Who remembers the European Grand Prix? Mclaren came under intense criticism for allowing Raikkonen to continue with a tyre that was clearly at risk of failing. All I ask is for some consistancy.
Max has suggested that the Michelin teams should simply have 'gone slower' through the final corner. Max's single seater racing career was both short and unsuccesful and that's no wonder with this ridiculous notion. How much slower is 'slower'? I don't believe for one second that he was in any position to quantify this. Also, if driver A's interpretation of 'slower' is quicker than driver B's, what is driver B going to do on lap 2? Within 3 laps they'll be going at racing speed.
In my view F1's reputation has been permanently tarnished, especially in the US. Minardi team boss Paul Stoddard (who incidentally runs Bridgestone tyres) has called for Mr. Mosely's resignation. I see no better way for F1 to begin it's recovery.
