Michelin in trouble at Indy/Michelin might not race at Indy (merged)

[Sodemo]

It appears that Michelin are in big problems at Indy, the Michelin teams might not be running during Practise 3.

What happens if Michelin decide to pull their cars, can they run a GP with 6 cars?

[Mr V]

That ain't gonna happen!

[Kicking-back]

Michelin are running.

[Sodemo]

Tyres too soft?

[Kicking-back]

Montoya goes a second quicker than anyone else.

[Pingguest]

I predict more trouble for Michellin. If the Michellin-drivers have problems during the free practises, the race will a disaster.

[Menelaos]

I'm afraid so, but on the other hand I can't believe they won't have a better tyre to provide the teams with....

[StickShift]

Michelin are not allowing the majority of their cars to run on the banking, and are advising them to run on the infield.

Frankly, I doubt that we will see any cars withdraw from the race. Formula 1 would install a tyre chicane in the short chute before they allow Michelin to withdraw and compromise a Grand Prix.

[Inigo Montoya]

Can someone please give me a link to this story? I missed the practice, and don't understand what is the problem.

[Menelaos]

Of all the michelin cars only jpm and dc did a full timed lap. The rest went out and pitted again by the end of their out lap.

[Inigo Montoya]

Has Michelin commented on the situation (link please)?

[Mr V]

No link as of yet Inigo.

[Menelaos]

don't think so, it only happened just now...

[Mike_P]

there is some info on the itv site
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=33173

Michelin can't figure out why the tires failed yesterday, and might fly in new tires for the race.

[Matt_S]

http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view...d=1&nid=113196

[Menelaos]

what's for sure is that they did well now, Kimi 1st, JB 2nd, Alonso 3rd. Hope they can make it through the race.

[Pingguest]

Renault Threaten Not to Race at Indy
Saturday, 18 June 2005 16:57

World championship leaders Renault have said they will pull out of tomorrow's United States Grand Prix on safety grounds if permission is not given for Michelin to fly-in new tyres for the race.

With Michelin still baffled about the causes of several failures during Friday practice, including Ralf Schumacher's high-speed crash, the French tyre manufacturer is pushing hard to be allowed to bring in a new specification of tyre for Sunday's race.

And Renault boss Flavio Briatore has made it clear that if permission for that move is not granted then he will withdraw his team's cars from the Indianapolis event.

"We fully support Michelin in this situation, and in the efforts they are making to best resolve it," he said in a statement issued by the Renault team.

"They are flying out different tyres to use in tomorrow's race – the same that were used in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix.

"The authorisation to use them has not yet been granted, but if that were not given, we would not compete in tomorrow's race. The safety of our drivers remains our number one priority."

The Michelin runners were only able to take part in Saturday morning's free practice session after making necessary set-up changes to their cars to ensure that their tyres were safe.

Permission to run the new tyres would need to be given by both the FIA and rival Bridgestone teams, because the sport's current rules dictate that tyres have to be chosen before the race weekend.

www.autosport-atlas.com

This is going to be a chaos.

[ralf fan]

So does this mean the entire field will start with new tyres tommorrow? seems fair...

[Menelaos]

not so fair for bridgestone teams though. It's the first gp this year their product is better, so I don't see why they should just accept a change of all tyres. Maybe it'd be better if they at least qualified later, that is, first all michelin drivers qualify, then all bridgestones.... Or something like that. Not any huge advantage, but I think it's fair they should get SOME advantage in return.

[Sodemo]

Yeah, as much as I disklike Bridgestone's policies in F1, if Michelin have screwed up its not fair they should get off the hook, I say allow the Bridgestones to occupy positions 1-6 then followed by the Michelin runners.

[Kicking-back]

IF - and it's still an IF, the Michelin runners decide to change tyres before the race, they'd all be penalised, so we would have the Bridgestone cars 1-6 on the grid.

[Pingguest]

If Michelin wants to use a new compound, all teams will have to give their permission.

[Gt_R]

There's no doubt the Michelins are fast boots... but the concern now is safety and whether it can last the race distance. Coupled to any safety car periods, it may really screw the tyres big time.

I'm quite surprised..but not too overly worried. Michelin is merely playing safe to conduct an investigation. Maybe they know that there are fundamental problems, which hopefully a different batch of tyres would correct.

Fair or not for BS, what is most important is safety. Once the safety aspect is satisfied, i think even if allowing BS runners to qualify last may go abit to "correct" the balance..really i don't think it'd make a difference to the grid.

[Menelaos]

not much of a difference, but maybe the minardis & jordans would gain 0.3-0.5. That of course wouldn't be of any huge importance, especially since the first cars to qualify will be JPM and the two Renaults which are of course way out of their league. BUT the Ferrari cars could qualify a bit better, which would help them if they could even gain one position at the final grid.... Which of course they would lose instantly when the red lights turn off But seriously I think it's fair for the Bridgestone teams to get an advantage, since the Michelins will HAVE to be changed, if it's a security issue...

[Menelaos]

At least three racing/F1 sites report that Michelin teams might not race at all unless they're given permission to use the new tyres.

www.planetf1.com
www.f1live.com