[Formula 1] FIA F1 World Championship 2005 - Gran Premio degli Stati Uniti

[fgiova]

Originariamente inviato da maxsona

come mai è sparito l'utlimo pezzo della tua sign ??

[Marci]

INDIANAPOLIS -- Michael Schumacher climbed from his car to a chorus of boos, the die-hard Formula One fans unable to accept his first victory of the season after more than two-thirds of the field quit in protest over tire safety.

Sparking a fiasco for a series desperate to capture the American audience, Michelin advised the 14 cars it supplies that its tires were unsafe for the final banked turn at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Unable to forge a compromise, all 14 Michelin teams ducked off the track after the warmup lap Sunday, leaving Schumacher and the five other drivers who use Bridgestone tires to race among themselves.

Fans headed for the exits in disgust, drivers were left bewildered and track officials joined team members in speaking afterward as if the United States Grand Prix itself is in jeopardy.

Schumacher returned to the podium, but there was no champagne toast for the Ferrari team on this Sunday.

"Bit of a strange Grand Prix," Schumacher said. "Not the right way to win my first one this year."

When an agreement couldn't be reached over the use of fresh tires or the placement of a chicane to slow the cars going into turn 13, the Michelin teams pulled off the track and parked in a unified protest.

"I feel terrible. I have a sick feeling in my stomach," David Coulthard said after pulling out of the race. "I am embarrassed to be a part of this."

The situation created a farce of a race for F-1, the world's most popular series. And it couldn't have happened at a worse venue: The series is already struggling to build an American fan base, and Indy officials were left unsure of the event's future.

"Undoubtedly, this sets us back in all of our efforts or all of the gains we've made in introducing this sport to America," said Joie Chitwood, track president. He declined to speculate on if the race would be back at Indy next season.

But even the Ferrari team, which finally scored its first win of the season, acknowledged that the series' future in the U.S. is in trouble.

"I wish we can come back to the States, this is a very important country and our No. 1 market," said Ferrari boss Jean Todt. "But this is a very bad day for our sport and I feel bad for the supporters."

Many blamed Ferrari itself -- the Italian team was the lone holdout in a series of compromises the nine other teams frantically tried to reach.

After two Michelin tires failed in Friday practice sessions -- one causing a wreck that prevented Ralf Schumacher from competing -- the tiremaker ruled that its rubber was unsafe for this track.

Michelin was rebuffed when it asked the FIA, the series governing body, to ease its rule forbidding teams to change tires after qualifying. The FIA also refused to consider installing a chicane.

So Michelin advised its teams not to compete after a lengthy morning meeting between nine team bosses (Ferrari did not attend), F-1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA. At one point, all 20 drivers were summoned to the meeting.

The nine teams even agreed to race for no points, as long as the obstacle was added to the course.

All of them said Ferrari would not agree to any of the proposals. Todt denied that Ferrari held up any deals, and said any decisions were left to the FIA. However, he said Ferrari would have protested the use of a chicane.

The teams worked up until the final moments for a resolution, even lining up on the grid and taking the warm-up lap. Then they pulled off, climbing out of their cars at the same time the remaining six drivers started the race.

The crowd was stunned, with fans pointing and gawking as they tried to figure out what was going on. Some booed. Others threw water bottles on the track in disgust.

"If I was a fan out there I would do the same," said driver Jacques Villeneuve, a former Indianapolis 500 winner.

After just 10 laps, many spectators began heading for the exits.

Indy officials said they had not yet discussed offering refunds, and track boss Tony George issued a statement urging fans to direct their frustration to Michelin, the FIA and F-1's management.

This event already draws just a fraction of what other races here do. Less than 100,000 come to this race, compared to a crowd in excess of 300,000 for the Indianapolis 500. Sunday's debacle will do nothing to improve that.

"Quite frankly, the fans got cheated," Ecclestone said.

All seven teams that pulled out of the race signed a single statement apologizing for the debacle.

"We are totally aware that the USA is an important market for Formula One and there is an obligation for Formula One to promote itself in a positive and professional manner," it said.

Among those refusing to race were world championship points leader Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, who trails him in the standings by 22 points.

Alonso is F-1's biggest threat this season to end Schumacher's five-year reign as world champion. But when he and the other contenders pulled out of the event, it opened the door for seven-time world champion Schumacher to climb back.

Schumacher entered the event 35 points behind Alonso, but cut the deficit to 25 with the victory -- well within striking distance with 10 events left this season.

fonte associated press

[Marci]

INDIANAPOLIS – Many Formula One fans were outraged by the withdrawal of all but six cars before the start of the United States Grand Prix on Sunday.

The other 14 cars, representing the seven teams that use Michelin tires, pulled off the track after the warmup lap because of safety concerns and a failure to reach a compromise that would have allowed them to compete.

Many people left the race and demanded ticket refunds.

"I came all the way from South America, from Bolivia, to watch this thing. But for me, this is the last time that I go to Formula One," said one man, who identified himself only as Gustavo. "I'm not only speaking for myself, but probably for a lot of people who come from different parts of the world to watch only six stupid people.

"To just give the race away like that is not fair for us, the fans. … We want our money back."

Another fan called it "an absolute outrage."

"I have been to this race every year they've had it here," fan Joe Huling said. "My brothers and I have followed Formula One since the '70s and have never seen anything as outrageous as this. As far as I'm concerned, if they do have a race here again, I would be questionable about coming here."

The cars that raced were the Ferraris of winner Michael Schumacher and runner-up Rubens Barrichello, the Jordans of Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan and the Minardis of Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher.

"I wanted to see Ferrari win, but not like this," fan James McAden said. "We never seen such a thing in motor racing. We came from South Carolina. This is not good for Grand Prix racing in America."

Scott Brombacher, a fan from California, said he was disgusted as he left.

"I love Formula One ... it just aggravates me," Brombacher said. "I spent a lot of money and took a week off from work to come out here. To have all this happen at the last minute is just disgusting."

The United States is the rare country that has not fully embraced the world's top racing series, and teams have been working hard to tap into the lucrative market.

All seven teams that pulled out of the race signed a single statement apologizing for the debacle.

"We are totally aware that the USA is an important market for Formula One and there is an obligation for Formula One to promote itself in a positive and professional manner," it said.

No blame
A subdued Michael Schumacher, who won his fourth U.S. Grand Prix with only token opposition by teammate Rubens Barrichello, admitted he had mixed emotions.

"Certainly today was a very unique Grand Prix, but to be honest, it wasn't in our hands," Schumacher said. "There's nothing we could have done. … I don't know what their [Michelin] problem was, but it wasn't our problem."

Schumacher was aware that many fans were booing.

"But there were a lot of people yelling. There were still a lot of supporters there, being happy with what we did," he said.

The fiasco won't destroy F1 in the United States, Schumacher predicted.

"We've had good ones, we had a difficult one, and we'll have good ones again," he said.

No compromise
Formula One put politics above sport, said Paul Stoddart, the team principal for Minardi.

"Nine of the 10 competing teams had agreed that in the interests of safety, a temporary chicane needed to be placed before the final turn," Stoddart said.

The idea was rejected by FIA President Max Mosley, and "in no uncertain terms, the teams were told that, should this occur, there would be no race," he said.

"I have complete sympathy with the Michelin teams and can take neither satisfaction from nor interest in this afternoon's race, if you can call it that," he said.

No celebration
The happiest driver may have been Tiago Monteiro of Portugal, whose third place gave him his first F1 points and first podium finish.

Monteiro, who drives for Jordan, qualified 17th on Saturday and knew he didn't have a competitive car -- until the boycott eliminated almost all of the competition.

"We always hope for a crazy race, to get the points. But I would never imagine a situation like that," Monteiro said. "It is a sad race. It's a shame what happened, but I'm happy, really excited, myself."

Trulli sorry
Jarno Trulli, who would have started from the pole, called the withdrawal of the Michelin Seven a "shame for Formula One" but the only reasonable option.

"We all knew … to run and finish the race was too dangerous," the Toyota driver said. "But that's life. Sometimes these things can happen. … We have analyzed data, and Michelin has analyzed data. They felt we were in danger today, so it was as simple as that."

Trulli said he wasn't upset that Ferrari decided to race.

"Ferrari was right where they expect the rules were clear from the race director," he said. "That's the rules. If you cannot race, you do not race."

Tire turns
The tire problem that limited Sunday's race to six drivers was caused by the banking in the final turn, which is Turn 1 of Indy's regular oval course but Turn 13 of the reconfigured road course used for the this race.

Michelin said going into that turn -- the only one that is banked -- puts added stress on the tires at high speed.

"The corner is not a corner," said David Coulthard, whose Red Bull Racing was one of the seven F1 teams that pulled out after the warmup lap.

"We come through the oval. … It is an easy corner, but the reality is it takes a lot of stress in the tire. We are just not designed to drive those types of corners at these speeds."

Rubens Barrichello, whose Ferrari team uses Bridgestone, said he had no problem with the tires in practice or qualifications.

"We have in the past, but we've sorted them out," he said. "With the rules like they are, there will be a time when you bring a couple types of tires for the track. There will be times you get it wrong."

Pit stops
Red Bull was fined $3,000 because driver David Coulthard drove in reverse in the pits during practice Saturday. … David Saelens of Belgium won Sunday's Porsche Michelin Supercup support race by 1 second over Alessandro Zampedri. Saelens also won the first Supercup race Saturday, his first victory of the season. … Richard Philippe of Key Biscayne, Fla., won the second Formula BMW race Sunday, beating Tobias Hegewald of Germany by 4.2 seconds. Australian James Davison, who won the first BMW race Saturday, was 23rd, one lap down.

stessa fonte di prima

[Marci]

PARIS -- Formula One's governing body on Monday summoned seven teams using Michelin tires to a hearing later this month after they pulled out of the United States Grand Prix for safety reasons.

The FIA hearing in Paris on June 29 could lead to a range of punishments including fines, docked points or even suspensions -- possibly throwing the F1 season into chaos with 10 races left.

Michelin provides seven of the 10 F1 teams with tires. Only six cars -- using Bridgestone tires -- started the race in Indianapolis on Sunday after 14 drivers left the track following the warmup lap. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won, climbing from his car to a chorus of boos.

Teams from Renault, McLaren-Mercedes, Toyota and Williams-BMW -- none of which raced -- were told to attend the Paris hearing.

Two Michelin tires failed in Friday practice sessions -- one causing a wreck that prevented Ralf Schumacher from competing -- prompting Michelin to rule its tires were unsafe for the Indianapolis track.

But FIA said it had "clear rules" that everyone had to keep.

"These cannot be negotiated each time a competitor brings the wrong equipment to a race," FIA said in a statement.

Michelin had unsuccessfully asked FIA to ease its rule forbidding teams to change tires after qualifying. FIA also refused to consider installing a curve. Michelin then advised its teams not to compete.

"What about the American fans? What about Formula One fans worldwide? Rather than boycott the race the Michelin teams should have agreed to run at reduced speed in turn 13," FIA said, referring to the part of the Indianapolis circuit that Michelin said was too fast for their tires.

"By refusing to run ... they have damaged themselves and the sport."

Michelin defended its decision.

"We are absolutely not embarrassed about our decision, although we do have regrets for the fans of Formula One and for the racing drivers of course," Frederic Henry-Biabaud, Michelin's deputy director of competition, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday.

"We feel it is a reasonable decision and we were professional to bear in mind primarily the safety of the drivers," Henry-Biabaud said. "We had no other choice."

He called the United States a safety-minded country and said there would have been an uproar if there were a crash Sunday.

"Imagine what would have happened in the United States if there was an accident ... What would have been the reaction if we'd allowed the drivers to race and something bad happened?" he said.

Henry-Biabaud said Michelin's involvement in F1 would continue, and dismissed speculation only one tiremaker would be allowed to supply cars from now on.

"Competition at the highest level includes competition between tire makers. I don't see why it would change," he said.

Henry-Biabaud said the problems with the tires were largely due to the design of the Indianapolis track.

"At Indianapolis, the tire coating suffers," he added. "The circuit is very traditional but the straight line before the banking delivers massive pressure on the car and the tires. For the car to do the whole race we have to be sure the tires can last."

Henry-Biabaud said FIA should have built a temporary curve before the banked corner to reduce speeds and lessen pressure on the tires.

Michelin said it has no concerns for the French Grand Prix on July 3.

"The Magny-Cours circuit is well known to Michelin technicians who use it regularly for testing," the manufacturer said.

FIA said putting in a curve would have been unfair to those using Bridgestone tires.

"The Bridgestone teams had suitable tires. They did not need to slow down," FIA said. "The Michelin teams' lack of speed through turn 13 would have been a direct result of inferior equipment, as often happens in Formula One."

The FIA also pointed out that each team is allowed to bring two sets of tires, including a slower tire suitable in all circumstances.

"Apparently, none of the Michelin teams brought a backup to Indianapolis," it noted.

Fonte, Associated press preso dal sito www.espn.com

[Cfranco]

Più ci penso e più mi girano
Si dice che le scuderie non sono responsabili ?
Allora spiegatemi questo : il problema é stato rilevato venerdì , non domenica mattina , eppure le squadre Michelin neanche ci hanno provato a fare setup "conservativi" per salvare le gomme o prove di cambi gomma , anzi sabato non hanno praticamente girato , tutto per presentarsi domenica a dire "o fate la chicane o non corriamo" , praticamente hanno fatto comunella per pretendere dalla FIA una modifica al circuito per favorirli a discapito della Ferrari , senza neppure provarci a mettere una pezza al problema , il comunicato della Michelin che dice che non assicura la durata delle gomme per tutto il GP é poi una farsa totale , per un motivo semplice : un costruttore di parti meccaniche per auto da competizione non assicura MAI la durata del pezzo , non ci sono garanzie di nessun tipo .
La mia impressione é quella che , visto il problema , le scuderie Michelin abbiano scelto volontariamente la strada del boicottaggio totale deliberatamente , al solo scopo di mettere la Ferrari in un angolo e cercare di forzare la mano alla FIA , piuttosto che correre in condizioni di inferiorità palese .

[fgiova]

Originariamente inviato da Cfranco

anzi sabato non hanno praticamente girato ,

forse era troppo pericoloso... il difetto era strutturale non di mescola, non credo che con 1 assetto si sarebbe risolto molto...

tutto per presentarsi domenica a dire "o fate la chicane o non corriamo" , praticamente hanno fatto comunella per pretendere dalla FIA una modifica al circuito per favorirli a discapito della Ferrari , senza neppure provarci a mettere una pezza al problema , il comunicato della Michelin che dice che non assicura la durata delle gomme per tutto il GP é poi una farsa totale , per un motivo semplice : un costruttore di parti meccaniche per auto da competizione non assicura MAI la durata del pezzo , non ci sono garanzie di nessun tipo .

mah...per 1 motore posso capire...ma per le gomme devono almeno garantire che teoricamente possano farla tutta la gara... mentre quelle nemmeno 10 giri facevano

La mia impressione é quella che , visto il problema , le scuderie Michelin abbiano scelto volontariamente la strada del boicottaggio totale deliberatamente , al solo scopo di mettere la Ferrari in un angolo e cercare di forzare la mano alla FIA , piuttosto che correre in condizioni di inferiorità palese .

a questo credo già di più...confidavano molto nel fatto che con la maggioranza delle squadre in difficoltà la FIA gli sarebbe venuta in contro....invece ha fatto bene a rimanere inflessibile...

[Schumy]

Originariamente inviato da Cfranco

Più ci penso e più mi girano
Si dice che le scuderie non sono responsabili ?
Allora spiegatemi questo : il problema é stato rilevato venerdì , non domenica mattina , eppure le squadre Michelin neanche ci hanno provato a fare setup "conservativi" per salvare le gomme o prove di cambi gomma , anzi sabato non hanno praticamente girato , tutto per presentarsi domenica a dire "o fate la chicane o non corriamo" , praticamente hanno fatto comunella per pretendere dalla FIA una modifica al circuito per favorirli a discapito della Ferrari , senza neppure provarci a mettere una pezza al problema , il comunicato della Michelin che dice che non assicura la durata delle gomme per tutto il GP é poi una farsa totale , per un motivo semplice : un costruttore di parti meccaniche per auto da competizione non assicura MAI la durata del pezzo , non ci sono garanzie di nessun tipo .
La mia impressione é quella che , visto il problema , le scuderie Michelin abbiano scelto volontariamente la strada del boicottaggio totale deliberatamente , al solo scopo di mettere la Ferrari in un angolo e cercare di forzare la mano alla FIA , piuttosto che correre in condizioni di inferiorità palese .

Parole sante...la FIA ha fatto bene a nn cedere alle richieste dei 7 team michelin,il regolamento PARLA CHIARO e sarei contento se alla michelin gli danno una bella stangata xchè se lo meritano

[Schumy]

E poi leggo pure la dichiarazione di Alonso sulla Ferrari ,che quando le ho lette mi ha fatto ma che pilota è x dire certe s*******e spero nn venga mai in Ferrari uno così

[fgiova]

Originariamente inviato da Schumy

E poi leggo pure la dichiarazione di Alonso sulla Ferrari ,che quando le ho lette mi ha fatto ma che pilota è x dire certe s*******e spero nn venga mai in Ferrari uno così

che ha detto...me la son persa

[Schumy]

Originariamente inviato da fgiova

che ha detto...me la son persa

ecco cosa ha detto ci prende x il c**o Indianapolis (USA), 20 giugno - Il pilota della Renault, lo spagnolo Fernando Alonso, non ha preso parte al GP degli Usa per il caso Michelin ed ha lanciato una "frecciata" alla Ferrari. Ironici i complimenti alla Rossa: "Ci si deve congratulare con la Ferrari che ha pensato alla sicurezza di tutti".

Poi ha concluso: “C`era tanta gente e la televisione. Con una chicane all`ultima curva avremmo gareggiato tutti e lo spettacolo non ci avrebbe rimesso. Purtroppo la FIA non ha accettato le nostre proposte".

[DarkVampire]

Originariamente inviato da Schumy

E poi leggo pure la dichiarazione di Alonso sulla Ferrari ,che quando le ho lette mi ha fatto ma che pilota è x dire certe s*******e spero nn venga mai in Ferrari uno così

il suo "maestro" e' briapirla...quindi immagina te cosa puo mai imparare...

[DarkVampire]

Originariamente inviato da Schumy

ecco cosa ha detto ci prende x il c**o Indianapolis (USA), 20 giugno - Il pilota della Renault, lo spagnolo Fernando Alonso, non ha preso parte al GP degli Usa per il caso Michelin ed ha lanciato una "frecciata" alla Ferrari. Ironici i complimenti alla Rossa: "Ci si deve congratulare con la Ferrari che ha pensato alla sicurezza di tutti".

Poi ha concluso: “C`era tanta gente e la televisione. Con una chicane all`ultima curva avremmo gareggiato tutti e lo spettacolo non ci avrebbe rimesso. Purtroppo la FIA non ha accettato le nostre proposte".

la fia nn accetta ma la colpevole e' la ferrari..secondo me gliel'ha detto briapirla di dire ste cose....congratularsi per la ferrari...mi pare il minimo...ha rispettato il regolamento...e sicurezza da parte sua c'e' sempre stata

[fgiova]

Originariamente inviato da Schumy

ecco cosa ha detto ci prende x il c**o Indianapolis (USA), 20 giugno - Il pilota della Renault, lo spagnolo Fernando Alonso, non ha preso parte al GP degli Usa per il caso Michelin ed ha lanciato una "frecciata" alla Ferrari. Ironici i complimenti alla Rossa: "Ci si deve congratulare con la Ferrari che ha pensato alla sicurezza di tutti".

Poi ha concluso: “C`era tanta gente e la televisione. Con una chicane all`ultima curva avremmo gareggiato tutti e lo spettacolo non ci avrebbe rimesso. Purtroppo la FIA non ha accettato le nostre proposte".

si ma quelle sono le parole di naomo.... come al solito lafonso non è altro che il suo burattino!

ma cosa doveva fare la ferrari per lui?? avere compassione e magari farli anche vincere?? ....ma qua stiamo dando veramente i numeri... ma chi si crede di essere uno che ha vinto solo 5 gare contro 1 squadra che negli ultimi anni ha battuto tutti i record che c'erano da battere!!

[Schumy]

Poi dicono che avrebbero corso solo x lo spettacolo ma x piacere,con la chicane Briapirla sapeva benissimo che le squadre nn avrebbero preso punti...ma gli è andata male

[Cfranco]

Stavo curiosando su un altro forum ....

[fgiova]

Originariamente inviato da Schumy

Poi dicono che avrebbero corso solo x lo spettacolo ma x piacere,con la chicane Briapirla sapeva benissimo che le squadre nn avrebbero preso punti...ma gli è andata male

eh...secondo te perchè insisteva tanto per la chicane....

tanto se correva solo la ferrari non ci perdeva + di tanto....
mi auguro solo che possa perdere il mondiale sulla ferrari per 1 punto!!

[Aiace]

Originariamente inviato da Schumy

Parole sante...la FIA ha fatto bene a nn cedere alle richieste dei 7 team michelin,il regolamento PARLA CHIARO e sarei contento se alla michelin gli danno una bella stangata xchè se lo meritano

Giusto! Se avessero accontentato la Michelin con una variante dove volevano loro, a questo punto tutte le scuderie sarebbero legittimate a chiedere modifiche in qualsiasi circuito perchè le loro macchine hanno delle difficoltà. Salterebbe fuori una "bagigiara" (più di quanto non lo sia già).

Le pretese di Briatridicolo mi sembrano proprio campate in aria: sono cinque anni che corrono lì e quella parabolica avrà almeno 50 anni.

[Schumy]

Lo spero con tutto con cuore adesso poi che rory sta lavorando sulla F2005 x migliorare il grip sono molto fiducioso che la Ferrari dora in poi può solo migliorare

[Cfranco]

E ancora ...

[Cfranco]

Gli spettatori salutano Bernie :