Will F1 Last (In The U.S.)? | FerrariChat
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Will F1 Last (In The U.S.)?

Discussion in 'F1' started by F1Fan, Jun 19, 2005.

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  1. F1Fan

    F1Fan Rookie

    Jul 21, 2004
    15
    The Rocky Mountains
    Full Name:
    Craig
    #1 F1Fan, Jun 19, 2005
    I've been an F1 fan for a long time. Flew to Indy on Wednesday (3rd year in a row) for the race, along with 5 friends. Haven't been too happy with Bernie Ecclestone since the FIA made the unusual decision to run one set of tires for qualifying and the race. What other motorsport denies the driver the opportunity to change tires during a race? NONE.

    I understand (with some stretch of the imagination) the decision to slow down the cars, since it appears technology is outpacing track conditions, but to not allow the cars to continue to grip is just too ridiculous. It would be most unfortunate to lose a driver due to tire failure. Imagine what could have happened to Kimi recently when his right front tire let go.

    Now, add to that the debacle Michelin has presented to their teams by not having an adequate compound (or sidewall strength) to mate with the existing track. Sure, the track has a surface and bank different than others. It also has texture that works for the Indy 500 and NASCAR teams. Why then wouldn't they use all available resources to make certain that the teams using their tires can compete, without the danger of certain failure? Or without whining that they must have another chicane to slow down the cars? (How far in advance of Ralf's crash on Friday do you think they knew?)

    Bridgestone, Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi haven't stopped racing because their tires weren't providing the grip they needed, have they? In addition to Michelin, there is lots of blame to go around.

    Did you see ANY Formula 1 advertising (for the USGP) on network television this year? Perhaps in the newspapers? Radio? Other media? People travel from around the world to see this number 1 sport, spend millions upon millions of dollars and pump a large amount of revenue into the local economy. Perhaps it is time to move from Indianapolis to another location, like Las Vegas, Long Beach, or somewhere where there is more support for the sport. During our five days in Indy, each time we went out for dinner, most restaurant staff were suprised to hear that there was a race, and many of them never heard of Formula 1.

    As a postscript, I had the unique opportunity to talk with drivers of one of the teams in person yesterday. There aren't many drivers who speak of the track at Indy with positive comments. Most are: "its boring", "too flat", and "poorly suited to Formula 1". Maybe it's time for a change, not even considering the wasted millions spent by disappointed race fans.
     
  2. dretceterini

    dretceterini F1 Veteran

    Apr 28, 2004
    7,289
    Etceterini Land
    Full Name:
    Dr.Stuart Schaller
    #2 dretceterini, Jun 19, 2005
    I lay the blame directly on the sholders of the two egomanical idiots; Minimum Lestly and Ernie Schmecklebone. If Ferrari left F1, it would cease to exist, so these two have been going along with whatever Ferrari wants as far as rules are concerned for the last few years.

    Do you really think if Ferrari said the chicane was OK, or allowing the Michelin shod teams to change tires without a penalty, the FIA would have decided a 6 cars race was a better option? Not in a million years.
     
  3. W00dEar

    W00dEar F1 Rookie
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    Feb 24, 2004
    3,592
    LI, NY
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    Chris
    #3 W00dEar, Jun 19, 2005
    but why should ferrari say its ok??
    if i brought a bad pair of sneaker to play basketball, u don't have to play barefoot with me, u know that right?
     
  4. Aircon

    Aircon Ten Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED

    Jun 23, 2003
    100,524
    Melbourne, Australia
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    Peter
    #4 Aircon, Jun 19, 2005
    You have to be kidding? So you reckon this year's new rules are what Ferrari wanted?
     
  5. BartonWorkman

    BartonWorkman F1 Veteran

    Nov 3, 2003
    6,173
    En El 305
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    Barton Workman
    #5 BartonWorkman, Jun 19, 2005
    After the debacle at Indy last year, this year's shambles of a race certainly
    did not help the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's chances of landing a contract extension with Bernie and the FIA.

    They've been talking about Laguna Seca and Road America long enough, time to put a proper USGP on a proper circuit since certainly any credibility F-1 had built up in the US has evaporated to all but the most ardent fans.

    BHW
     
  6. F1racer

    F1racer F1 Rookie

    Oct 5, 2003
    4,749
    Laval
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    Jean
    #6 F1racer, Jun 19, 2005
    2002 US GP....everyone was angry to see Rubens winning the race because Michael let RB ''pass him'' right before the finish line.
    2005 US GP....you know what happened..

    Maybe if we see Scott Speed racing next year people will come back?
     
  7. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
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    The Meister
    #7 Meister, Jun 19, 2005
    Places like Road America (and others) would obviously be better "tracks" but think of the $'s they'd have to spend to make them F1 ready. No-one else has the infrastrucutre, paddock, etc to satisfy F1. And after this Indy crap I don't think anyone will be eager to throw that kind of money into an uncertain future of F1 in the USA.
     
  8. Joe G.

    Joe G. Formula 3
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    Dec 9, 2003
    1,109
    Los Angeles
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    Joe Gazzani
    #8 Joe G., Jun 19, 2005
    the beginning of the end
     
  9. beast

    beast F1 World Champ

    May 31, 2003
    11,479
    Lewisville, TX
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    Rob Guess
    #9 beast, Jun 20, 2005
    If they move the USGP to another track i MIGHT go to see it. As for Indy i will never return to this hell hole.

    Not only was the tire test was a joke but all weekend long the workers at the track and vendor booths gave me the impression that they did not want to be there.

    I cannot wait for my 5PM flight out of here.

    Adios Indy.
     
  10. Neal K.

    Neal K. Karting

    May 9, 2005
    161
    Clarence, N.Y.
    Full Name:
    Neal
    #10 Neal K., Jun 20, 2005
    Watkins Glen here in New York State is a possibility.
    Nonetheless, yesterday's fiasco leaves a black-eye
    on a sport that many motor sports fans in the U.S.
    are ambivalent about anyway.
    In 2004 Shanghai and Bahrain held their inaugural
    F1 races on brand new tracks and the events
    were monumental successes. I am beginning to
    wonder whether F1 really has a future in the U.S.
     

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