Not entirely true actually. It was raining quite badly at 2-3pm. But, it wasn't as bad as we saw eventually.
I dunno Brian. To me we were cheated of a full race. I especially feel bad for the fans that were there. The race shouldn't have started that late.
I know Luis, u should have seen the reaction of fans over here. Seeems to me, if there were fans going for the 1st time, it will be definitely the last. Anyways, yes, they shouldn't have started the race that late. They had warnings this last 2 weeks, of the conditions, because it rained like how we sw yesterday everyday for the past 2 weeks. The FIA obviously had a choice, but it really surprises why they didn't start the race earlier. Between 2-3 pm, it did rain, but no where near what we saw. Again, the FIA shot itself in the foot again.
The point is that because of the start being 3 hours later than usual, a restart wasn´t possible because of the simple fact it got too dark to be able to complete the remainder of the race. If the race was started on the regular time, there would have been time to finish the race before darkness sets in.
The FIA seem to be good for that. It's pretty much the only thing they are good for. This regime really needs to be ousted. Bernie will never leave of his own free will.
Absolutly. The one thing that really bothers me is what the heck happened to Rosberg. He was dominating. This should have been his race.
The funny thing is, Bernie is just trying his best to be cool about it. Mark my words, next year, it will be definitely a 3pm race time.
Could you please enlighten me as to how the blame for that disaster can be laid at Mad Max's / the evil pygmy's feet? I'm no fan of either of 'em, but IIRC it was Michelin who "screwed the pooch". Cheers, Ian
Stop using logic, you're only going to hurt yourself. Bashing Max/Bernie is in right now; get with the times. Michelin responsible, HA! Next you're going to tell us McLaren's responsible for lying to the stewards. Mark
It wasn't so much Bernie and Max that were to blame for Indy 2005 but they did have a bit to do with it, IMO. Michelin knew it had a problem, and admitted it and wanted to work, along with the teams, to come up with a solution (the proposed chicane). There was one team that did not want anything to do with the chicane idea. At that point, Bernie and/or Max could have stepped in and forced everyone to work together to make something happen and still have a reasonable race. Instead they did nothing, screwed the fans, then started pointing fingers at everyone else. Sometimes, in sport, and in life, you need the person in charge to make something happen. They did nothing. As Steve Machett said, you're not a bad leader because you make a bad decision you're a bad leader because you make no decision. Bernie and Max were too busy kissing Ferrari's ass to make them do anything.
Changing the chicane would have meant changing the track, which had rendered the insurance policies of several teams invalid.
Not only that, but think about it this way. At the time how many teams were on Bridgestones....3 right? Say the Bridgestones were the one's having issues, do you still think the layout of the track should have been changed to accommodate Ferrari??? Do you have any idea the backlash that would have followed if the track was changed to suit Ferrari? I really do not want to start an argument on this topic since it really has nothing to do with the race this last Sunday, but Michelin screwed the pooch and their teams suffered. It's no different than if Ferrari were to show up and say the brakes they were supplied with this week won't last 90 minutes, can we shorten the race to 45? Mark
Toyota later admitted their body work was too close (ie illegal) to the tires thus cutting them. Max/Bernie were looking for an excuse to burn the USGP. They way they did it forced the drivers into a boycott and laying blame at Michelins feet. They had washed their hands. I feel sorry for Michelin who acted with super-human dignity.
The problem with that would be if it were only Ferrari having problems, of course you would not change the track to accommodate them obviously. They would be more than welcome to withdraw the cars. The problem existed in 05 with all of the teams but two, basically leaving 4 cars on the starting grid. It was a complete joke to start the race with 4 cars on the gird. In the end, instead of working together we got the sham that we got. Whomever messed up was besides the point, they should have been dealt with later. Bernie and Max should have made sure by any means that there were enough cars in the field for a proper race. They did not.
How the devil could they? "The chicane" idea - Forget it, just because Michelin messed up you're going to change the circuit layout! That would have set a *really* dangerous precedent..... One case in which they really can't be held responsible IMHO. Cheers, Ian
Ian, They could have done a number of things including postponing the race. As far as changing circuit layout in the name of safety, it's been done before (1994). Anything would have been better than what we got.
For reasons that now escape me, they (Tony G?) decided that wasn't a possibility. Yep, the safety of *all* the competitors, not a select few..... +1 No argument from me there! I just don't know what they could have done. For my part, I swore I would *never* darken my wheels with a Michelin product as long as my butt points down - And I haven't..... Cheers, Ian
I don't remember if that was the case either. If anyone does, feel free to step in. If one car in the field had a problem, by the nature of the cars they all might have one. Also if a Toyota wrecked at indy at the speeds they were running it could have taken out several cars. I think It was a Toyota problem more than a Michelin problem. None of the other cars on the tires had that sort of issue all weekend.
+1 If this is true, (link please?) then it was *definitely* a Toyota problem...... Michelin must've been pi$$ed! [I agree they behaved very well btw, I just won't buy their products] Cheers, Ian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_United_States_Grand_Prix The full story. Notes Mosely's actions. The guy in charge killed all the ideas on the table and screwed us all. I can't find a link about the bodywork, but it is a reasonable explanation. No one else had a problem but them. As far as Michelin goes they were a class act all the way. I'll buy their products anytime, especially when the Pilot Sport 2 ZP come out in Z06 rear sizes. The Goodyear F1 supercars that my Z came with are crap!
