Oh boy what a mess! It seems like Michelin are not confident if their tyres will work at SPA as well. Check out this link (see Michelin's response on page 2 to the FIA). http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/914355186__20_06_2005_FIA_Michelin_letter.pdf
This should prove interesting. We got our tickets for this year's Spa as soon as we got home after last year's Spa. Oh well, there's plenty to see and do there over the short weekend! Carol
read it again. prior testing hitting kerbs at SPA -- typical Mich. they know the guys hit the kerbs, it's normal, and their f.g tyres need to take it or they can issue an instruction: Dear Kimi: - no lawnmowing - no kerbs - no burnouts -no racing and our tyre is then safe. enough of that sh.t and everyone will voluntarily run bridgestone
I think if the FIA And F1 Management allowed one tire change over the entire weekend, that it would make for better racing. Team's choice as to when to change the tire, but two sets for both qualifying and the GP. It would lessen the potential accidents like Kimi had and make F1 a safer platform. Look at every single driver's tires after a race and you will see that they are almost completely bald. A single set of replacement tires would be the optimum choice in this situation.
These letters are almost 3 weeks old - surely there have been further discussions (especially as these letters were written prior to the USGP). Any one have any more info on what's transpired the past 3 weeks on this?
That response from Michelin can't give the 7 Michelin teams a warm and fuzzy feeling. Having to comply with Michelin's 'Instructions' surely doesn't give the driver the confidence to race balls to the wall either.
The Michelin teams cannot afford to miss another race so they better find a way to resolve and fast. It looks like Michelin has shot themselves in the foot and will put themselves out of the running as the exclusive tire supplier of F-1. Oh well..
It sounds like Michelin is trying to apply pressure for tire changes throughout the race. Maybe they are afraid of possible financial liabilities under the current scenario if someone is killed and the tires can be blamed. The onus does seem much more on the tire manufacturers this year under current rulings. Here's a thought, maybe Bridgestone decided to not compromise their tires and that's why they are a little slower off the line but seem to be holding up when they are warmed up. OTOH, Michelin have found a compound that warms quicker but integrity may be compromised. So it's in Michelins best interest that the tire change happens and they are trying to make it happen with stunts like this.
Given the resources Michelin devotes to racing, saying they cannot develop tires which will last by Spa is insane. One time (Indy), maybe. Twice? No way. Either the design team at Michelin is completely incompetent (unlikely), they do not feel F1 is worth the additional cost for development (unlikely), or they are playing political games with Bernie (highly likely). If they continue to even hint that Spa will be another 6 car race, you know attendence will be severely down. Since Bernie gets the largest cut of the pie, he is the one hurt the most financially in the short term. This is an ugly fight, and the fans lose. Who's fault? IMO, 90% Michilen/10% FIA.
I have watched 9 painful races of where my team was losing badly this year. Never once have I complained, always staying positive that bridge/Fer would work it out together. The Micelin man should stop crying its frenchy butt and start finding a solution to their problem like everyone else has too. THe rules are set for this year, and the tracks. No rule changes or anything else until after the season, that goes for the tire situation this year. I didnt like it either at the beginning and ferr/bridg paid the price, now its their turn.....
Well, now that we all have Pierre's personal cellphone number, let's just give him a call and ask him what's up...
These are the same letters that have been floating around for a week now. Sounds like to me Michelin knows there tires SUCK and want to avoid a major law suit when one of the drivers gets killed.
Interesting that the tires may not hold up to race distance at Spa as well. As I flew back from Indy, I had the thought that Eau Rouge was probably the next-most-severe corner for tires on the calendar. This year I will be at Spa for my first European F1 race. Same **** better not happen again. This time I WOULD get pi$$ed!
Here's my two cents...don't spend the money to go to an F1 race unless you find it worthwhile to go visit the area anyway. There might not be any more races this season..not any competitive races anyway.
jim, I have to agree with you on this one. I Think it is time to focus more on my Photo business and say to hell with F1. Next year i was thinking of going to Spa for the race and to visit the place of my birth. At this point i might just go to visit Germany without tying it around an F1 race. Rob
Line is busy... Bridgestone has come up with a solution, Michelin didn't. Racing 101, the one with the best equipment has the best chance at winning. If Michelin withdraws from motorsport this year, I'm cashing in some of my investments and buying a ride with Minardi. Just think, a fat ass like me has a chance to finish fifth in driver's championship...
The Director of Michelin Motor Sport uses the "Comic Sans" font for his business letters... Rather appropriate, I should think.
Interesting and worrying. So we now know why Alonso's car was all over the place at the end of Imola and Monaco ... Michelin (even though they had the rules) designed a tyre to last less than a full length of the race banking on the cars having enough lead to still make it to the finish first (?). Hmmm, very risky approach and does explain why Alonso and other Michelin teams are complaining of grip issues ... ie. Webber. Pete
