Michelin.. A company with much class.

JeremySmith · 3 Jul 2005, 15:35 (Ref:1346040)

After watching the French Grand Prix today it just struck me that Michelin really are a class act. There decision to advise there partner teams at the USGP was a brave one in my opinion. Of interest to me was Peter Windsor's interview with Pierre Dupasquier showed a man with lot's of enthusiasm and a very upbeat personality, much needed in Formula1. The fact that Michelin intend to shoulder the responsibility and refund the the fans in the USA "Shows a company with much class" What are you thoughts?

Knowlesy · 3 Jul 2005, 15:51 (Ref:1346053)

Yes, and they certainly bounced back in style today too. Nearest Bridgestone runner over a minute behind.

They have handled things well, had the guts to stand up and say they made a mistake and are handling things nicely. Max Mosley, watch and learn.

Kicking-back · 3 Jul 2005, 16:05 (Ref:1346072)

Correct.

Michelin messed up at Indy so scored no points.

Michelin got it right at Magny Cours and won the race.

That's racing.

Menelaos · 3 Jul 2005, 16:47 (Ref:1346113)

agreed.

**Peter Mallett** · 3 Jul 2005, 19:18 (Ref:1346244)

Apologies for quoting another post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

Michelin messed up at Indy so scored no points.

Michelin got it right at Magny Cours and won the race.

I liked the handshake between the Bridgestone and Michelin guy. "There but for the grace of God" came to mind.

**John Turner** · 3 Jul 2005, 20:09 (Ref:1346266)

Did anyone note the particular attention Alonso paid to the Michelin logo on his cap, by pointing at it, when on the podium!

Knowlesy · 3 Jul 2005, 20:30 (Ref:1346285)

Yep. Class.

Logrence · 3 Jul 2005, 20:37 (Ref:1346299)

I don't understand. They told the Michelin teams not to race because someone could get hurt. The teams sensibly followed this advice (lawsuits at the front of their minds) - was this brave?

If you ignore the Indy GP malarkey they've finished every single GP so far in this same position - at the front way ahead of the Bridgestone runners. It's business as usual.

Knowlesy · 3 Jul 2005, 20:41 (Ref:1346304)

It's 9/10 for Michelin. An exact reverse of 2004.

Gt_R · 3 Jul 2005, 20:59 (Ref:1346330)

Log indeed. They've won every race so far this year... and that they've managed to finally get the championship charge on track. It's for this reason i felt unfortunate and sorry for those who worked so hard to produce such great tyres to have all their good work and name being washed away by the debacle in Indy. Indy alone could have overshadowed all the good work so far. Thankfully, by the time they win the WDC later this year, nobody would have remembered Indy fiasco.

When tyres win, nobody give it special praise...yet just one error and the world's on your back saying how you screwed up. It hurts.

No good sports would love to win by hoping disaster strike the opposition. The faster Michelin get out of the mess they're in, the better it is for everyone. France GP is a good first step.

**John Turner** · 3 Jul 2005, 21:11 (Ref:1346342)

Agreed Gt_r; good thoughtful and sympathetic post

richard_sykes · 3 Jul 2005, 21:28 (Ref:1346360)

What about the two Bridgestone’s left rears today though, haven’t heard anymore on that.

thejester · 3 Jul 2005, 22:13 (Ref:1346402)

Good to see the teams openly and visibly supporting Michelin. After all, as you say, they have been the tyre manufacturer to beat. Moseley seems to want them hung, drawn and quartered, when, other than Indy, they can take a lot of resposibility for ending Ferrari's monopoly and livening up the championship.

JeremySmith · 3 Jul 2005, 22:22 (Ref:1346415)

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Turner

Agreed Gt_r; good thoughtful and sympathetic post

Ditto

Richard the Minardi rear tyre failures where due to valve caps not being put back on at pit stops according to Paul Stoddart that is.

richard_sykes · 3 Jul 2005, 22:28 (Ref:1346419)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Ditto

Richard the Minardi rear tyre failures where due to valve caps not being put back on at pit stops according to Paul Stoddart that is.

Really

Shame, they should have some of those LED ones, so they dont forget in future.

BootsOntheSide · 3 Jul 2005, 22:44 (Ref:1346428)

I doubt Indy will be forgotten particualrly quickly, certianly not by those who paid good moeny to attend the fiasco. But ultiamtely that is probably only the second tiem all season where Michelin tyres have been inferior - and, although Dupasquier doesn't seem like the type to gloat, he must've found those Bridgestone tyre failures amusingly ironic.

RT · 4 Jul 2005, 02:07 (Ref:1346483)

I'd call it class "damage control". To be a real class act, the offer to refund and the extra free tickets would have had to be done during the USGP.

I'll say it took courage indeed to fully disclose the unsuitability of teir tyres for the race conditions. However, that too sounds like damage control and pre-emtion of lawsuits in case someone got hurt.

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