Yes there a 7 teams that did not run causing a huge loss of advertising dollars to the sponsors. I am sure that this is a breach of contract between the sponsor and the teams. Just think of all of the sponsors that were present at the race that did not happen not only it was a black eye for the sport but also the sponsor. If i were Ron Dennis, Peter Sauber, Frank Williams........ i would have told my drivers look Michlin bent us over on this deal but we still have an obligation to our sponsors and the fans to go out there. We will not be competitive, it will not be the greatest of shows, but at least we can tell everyone we gave it 100% up to the limitations of out tires. I have said it once and i will say it again. michelin was blowing us a smoke screen and was using the USGP as a political protest over the FIA letter after kimi's suspension failure at the European GP.
Not trying to be sarcastic here and realizing this is little consolation to the fans, but those that have been to the USGP actually witnessed a historic and monumental event in F1's history. GPs are a dime a dozen, but the ones that go totally haywire are very rare and far in between. Last time I remember one like this goes back to the FISA/FOCA war in 1982 where it was all about the skirts (on the cars ). So although it sucked to watch 6 cars performing a tire test, what happened on the bigger scale was nothing short of a historic moment for the sport.
Ok, ok guys. I wasn't trying to stir the hornets nest witht this post, but I am pretty entertained. Let me clarify. I have thought the same thing that although I and my family were disappointed in not seeing a real race it will go down in history as one of the biggest, albeit, worst moments in F-1...and I was there in person to see it. I am not full of rage, get a lawyer, want my money back. It won't affect me getting tickets next year anyway. I don't think the track is at fault at all and if it was a matter of them refunding our tickets at their expense then I wouldn't want them to do that. It was completely Michelin's fault. I do think that the teams doing the formation lap was nothing more than to give the middle finger to Bernie...but they in doing so gave the middle finger to the fans watching leading them to believe that disaster had been averted and a race would happen...not cool. Alright, the mighty refund. As I said, it is water under the bridge, the tickets are dirt cheep, agreed. I feel really really bad though for the 75% of the crowd that weren't local, especially those that travelled really great distances from Argentina, Europe etc... There was a group of 20 there that came up from Columbia, another couple from Argentina spent $10 grand having their trip to the US centered around this race. I am not a rich guy but in comparison to these folks I spent little money. For folks to come all over the world and not see a race, it wasn't a race in any sense, is a bad thing. To say those folks are crybabies for paying for something that they did not get is a bit harsh I think. Michelin took a gamble, they didn't bring a spare set of more conservative, less competitive tires, and as a result the race didn't happen. They do have a role and responsibility, single handidly, to compensate folks. I could give a crap if it's me. Glen
For what it's worth: While waiting at Montreal airport for my flight back to the States after the Canadian GP there were a lot of Europeans (Brits mostly) who were doing the double. That is something, that has only become possible recently (since last year to be precise). So although they spent a lot of money, they got to see at least one real GP.
What a crazy race. I did not mind seeing Ferrari 1&2. I did'nt see the start of the race. I was wondering for a while what the heck was going on. Now of course after the race and reading many threads on the subject I think the following. 1. I find it hard to believe that any team in F1 could come to a race unprepaired like that. Its not like they have never been there before. How could a tire company like that not have the right stuff coming to any F1 race. Its not like thier some fly-by night tire co. Unbelieveable. There must be something else going on here. 2. The teams who pulled out should be ashamed. These are F1 drivers, supposively the best in the world. Should they have quit if thier motor was not fast enough? How about if thier handleing package was not as good as the other teams? Should they have quit then too? Of course safety is paramount in any racing series. But These are Professional drivers, mechanics, engineers. They could have changed tire pressure, changed the set up on the car, they are the best teams in the word (so we were lead to believe). They had the time to come up with something that would work. Would they have been the fastest on that day? Maybe not. But thats racing. Give 110% on that day with what you have and go on to the next race. 3. I lost a lot of respect for those teams and drivers. How pathetic. Acting like a bunch of spoiled little brats, taking thier toys home and not playing because thier's wer'nt the best on that day and they may not win. Then trying to mask the whole thing by saying thier cars were not safe. BS..they could have made them safe. Maybe not the fastest that day, but safe. 4. BIG Hats off to F1 for sticking to the rules against overwelming pressure from all sides. That took guts. I don't care what anyone says. And Bravo to the teams that came to race and did. That could not have been easy to step up and soldiered on despite pressure from the other teams to be QUITTERS too. 5. I still love F1 & Ferrari. That race was truely historical. Not how I hoped it would be. But what the heck, just when you think you've seen it all...... 6. Sorry, maybe this was more that $0.02 worth. Kurt There is nothing like a Ferrari, there never has been and never will be!
Like what? What else was going on, besides Michelin making a huge huge error? If their motor would explode if they went over 100mph with it, then yes. If their suspension would fail after 3-4 laps, then yes. It wasn't that the tires were uncompetitive, they were unSAFE. What are your qualifications that you can state that they could have done something? Do you think they all sat back and said "well, guess we're getting a couple of days off!"??? Of course they tried to find a solution, but there was none other than putting in a chicane, having the drivers go slow, or running through the pits. What makes you so sure they could have done something? What makes you sure they didn't do everything they could? Some people think the gov't can do anything - they can zap someone with a laser 1/2 way around the world. They have zero justification for thinking such things, but they think it anyway. The guys in F1 are regular guys. They are not scientists pushing the envelope of technology. They are just regular guys coming up with new things to help them win races. I doubt there was anything that could have been done short of going slow or having new tires that would have allowed a real race to happen. It was never about being uncompetitive. They were willing to run for no points, which proves being unable to win was not a problem. Therefore, given the FACTS say it was not about being sore for having an uncompetitive car, we must believe that safety was indeed the issue. You can think otherwise if you choose, but the facts prove you wrong. And why would you be upset with the drivers? You may as well be upset with the tire guy at your local michelin store. What did the drivers do wrong? What could they have done? Defy their bosses? And achieve what? What if they said "screw you" and ran anyway, and there was a fatal accident. What then? I hope you are as happy about absolute strict adherence to the rules when it doesn't swing in Ferraris favor too! It didn't take guts for the rules to be enforced. That was the default reaction. What would have taken guts would have been to get the men involved to work something out and put aside pride and hard feelings and put on a RACE for the fans. But that didn't happen.
Well at least in wrestling you can see action, I was in no way dissappointed in the race..Minardi got points !!!, But in the reality of things if Bridgestone's six cars had tire problems and did not run and 14 Michelin cars ran there would be no issue. The race was really, easliy compared to a Mike Tyson fight on pay per view spend 60 bucks to see the fight end in round one or the second round if Mike got hungry and chomped on Hollyfield's ear.. Just history and something to remember
Tatcat how can u blame the teams???? You got to be kidding. It is entirely the fault of the teams and of their tire supplier, Michelin. I would only like to add that this certainly heightens my respect for John Todt and the whole Ferrari Team. I didnt see Ferrari crying when they were having tire problems and by the way I didnt see any of the Michelin teams wanting to change any of the race parameters for the Bridgestone teams or did I miss that?! I a mean after all this is a COMPETITIVE event! If you arent ready you have NO ONE to blame but yourself! All the other teams should take a lesson for the sportsmanship and professionalism that Ferrari has demonstrated.
If you purchased 3 tickets, taken time off work... traveled from Seattle... paid for hotel rooms, etc.. and felt satisfied with that race you'd be a MAJOR idiot... since we are being honest. Easy to see why this POS co-called racing series manages to be so sucessful. "That was just F1!! You are lucky to even have race for those guys to walk away from." Moron. Really sorry you got up at 3 AM though. That must have been so terrible for you. Honestly felt it was worth it after the "race"? People AT LEAST deserve money back on the tickets. Hoping the many suits being filed result in more being refunded as well.
Oh yes... I would have been so proud had Lamborghini brought a car to Indy and then been too scared to race it on the scary, fast track or even when given a nearly empty track they wouldnt even bother racing one another. Yeah, that's why F1 sucks to me. F1 sucks as a racing series. Amazing cars to be sure... which is what keeps me interested... but as a racing series???? Please. F1 sucked before Indy. Last Sunday just eliminated any lingering doubts. Oh... and whether Lamborghini decides to race or not has little to do with the Murcielago being a better car than any non-Enzo Ferrari produced the past 30 years. Just is.
Oh... and when was the last time Lamborghini ever competed with any dominance, in any race, besides maybe stoplight and 1/4 mile racing?
IMO the following will happen. The class action will get anyone who joins a full refund. There will not be another US F1 Race for years. The lawyers have only just begun.
what we are talking about are people we profess to respect risking their lives. no amount of money can be considered when a persons life is a stake. a tire going flat is one thing, a tire blowing at speed unpredictably is totally another. ask ralf shumacher, who hit the wall at speed if the teams made the right decision. as i would like to think of myself as a fan of racing, i would never expect a driver to drive a car that was unsafe and risk his life just for the spectacle. this is not the coliseium in ancient rome. these are real people with families.
You are a troll and an idiot. Go back to your Lambo love-in and leave us F-car and F1 fans alone. Aren't you the same retard who started that thread accusing Rob of cybersquatting ? Shows clearly that you came here purely as a trouble maker and a troll, so why don't you f**k off if you're so unhappy with this site ?
I so hope you are wrong on this Jim. Would be sad if this were the outcome. My prediction: No refund. No USGP in 2006, Bernie will line the Mexican GP up with the Canadian one. USGP resumes in 2007 on either of the coasts. F1 in Indy is dead. Again, just me worthless dos centimos.
I did all that but traveled from Birmingham, AL. The race itself was actually just a small part of my experiences since I arrived on Wed night to begin my activities with the pit walk on Thurs morning. Since I am not screaming mad, does this make me a "MAJOR idiot" too?
srtmike You seem to be quite a rude and bitter person. You should stay in the politics/business section where you can run your mouth without knowing what your talking about. you said : "Like what? What else was going on, besides Michelin making a huge huge error?" GPWC ? you said : "If their motor would explode if they went over 100mph with it, then yes. If their suspension would fail after 3-4 laps, then yes. It wasn't that the tires were uncompetitive, they were unSAFE." If thier motor would explose over 100mph there would be oil and engine parts all over the track. That would be unsafe. Same with the suspension, if it fell off at speed ..quite unsafe too. As for the tires the only problem was in turn 13, the rest of the track was fine. They wanted to alter the track to better suit thier cars. And that yould have been fine for them, unfair to others. If the tires were so unsafe they would be unsafe for any use on any track. Look thru the smoke. Your comments are unwarrented. you said : "What are your qualifications..." Actually I've been following all types of motor sports for many many years. And have competed in several differ'nt venues. As if thats any of your business. You obviously don't have any qualifications judging buy your comments and your unwarrented opinionated NOT factual attack on my comments proves just that. Any one that knows anything about race cars knows that you can adjust the car to favor the tires or tire when needed. Very bad form on your part. you said : "I hope you are as happy about absolute strict adherence to the rules when it doesn't swing in Ferraris favor too! It didn't take guts for the rules to be enforced. That was the default reaction. What would have taken guts would have been to get the men involved to work something out and put aside pride and hard feelings and put on a RACE for the fans. But that didn't happen." Your absolutly right about me being happy they stuck to the rules. What a rediculous comment. If they did'nt they would'nt be much of a rule then would they. I think your very wrong saying saying it did'nt take guts to stick with them under such pressure. Obviously you would have given in to the pressure. Typical for the political/business type to go with whatever will make them popular rather than do what is right. True its the fans that support the sport, BUT its also a race first with rules that all must abide by to make it safe and fair to all involved. The show is the race itself, its not a staged play put on for the fans benifit. Its a competition, rules must be followed. Lastly untill you have actually raced, keep your uneducated armchair opinions to yourself. You don't even own a Ferrari. Why are you here anyway? Other that to be rude and try to find someone to listen to your ranting. You must be a very frustrated person with very low self asteem to make comments like that to someone you don't even know. Thanks for showing your true self to board. I'm sure I'm not the only one who sees you for what you are now. I will waste no more time on you...good day.
That is a very, very expensive smoke screen and a risky political manuever to piss off the fans as well as force FIA to... to do what exactly? Abandon the one tire rule? Force the FIA management to become more responsible for the sport? Hurt the teams that came prepared? I just don't get it. If it was such an expensive fall out as everyone suggests, and they could have raced in a limited capacity, why didn't they? We're assuming that they could. Was it simply F1 politics or was there something seriously wrong? The fall out from their actions was not worth whatever political leverage there was to gain. So, maybe there was something seriously wrong? Where's Pat and Vanna when you need them? Cheers, Sunny
Whoa!!! Let's lighten up here. So far as I know, NO ONE on this board was a participant in ANY of the meetings, discussions, consultations, and arguments which took place over that weekend between ANY of the parties involved. As such, EVERYTHING any of us has said in this, and several other threads, is just as you've said....AN OPINION. We are all entitled to have whatever opinion we choose and to voice those opinions in a respectful way. Some mind will be changed, others will not. So what! How you get from a disagreement to someone having low self esteem is beyond me. What say we all just agree to disagree, huh.
