I know everyone has an opinion, so let's hear it. To me, there could be a few options: a) yank their points up to this race, make them start over at zero. If a team wants to sit the rest of the year out in protest, allow 3 cars per team to ensure 20 cars on the grid. b) revert back to the old rules allowing tire changes, and watch Ferrari dominate for the rest of the year as in 2004. c) Specify a control tire (Bridgestone, naturally) for the 2006-on. d) push so that Scott Speed gets a decent car next year to peak interest in the US. Have heavily discounted tickets for Indy next year. Schedule a second USGP in CA or Las Vegas. e) place your idea here.
Having drove from Chicago, and shelled out $150 for the race.... (plus all the booze...) Why couldnt they just revert back to last years rules?
This was Bernie's opportunity to actually provide value... mediate a solution... there were options better than the one taken! The chicane was NOT it! But there were other options! Bernie showed quite clearly that he provides ZERO value. The manufacturers need to take over and run this thing right. Hire the Taglibue or someone who knows how to manage a league for the benefit and profit of the owners... by keeping the customer needs in focus.
I think the next thing is to see what Michelin says/does. The FIA posted the letters that were sent back and forth between them and Michelin. Personally, I agree with Charlie Whitting's comments in the letters.
Assuming they come back to Indy next year, the F1 "suppliers" (i.e., FOM, teams, IMS, etc.) should really bend over backwards to show contrition for this year's thumb in the eye to their customer base. It's foolish to expect a refund, discounted tickets, or anything like that. But they could come up with some way to really show appreciation to the loyal fans who make this possible, and if this is done at the same venue, they will indeed be making good to a sizable percentage of the people who were there today. They could take a lesson from some of the "minor league" teams who have to work harder for their customers.
Fire Max and Bernie. If that cannot be done, the Michelin teams should withdraw from F1 and race at the F1 circuits at a later date (maybe the week before or after the F1 scheduled race) with their own series. No one should give Bernie anymore money/power.
