The_Vulk
06-19-2005, 07:17 PM
Only six cars compete in Indianapolis F1 race (http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/story/3698068)
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Formula One's bid to capture the American audience was crippled Sunday when only six cars participated in the United States Grand Prix. The other 14 drivers boycotted the event amid safety concerns with their Michelin tires.
The race was in jeopardy all the way up to the start after Michelin informed the seven teams it supplies that its tires were not safe in the final banked corner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
...
The FIA, the series governing body, refused a request to allow the teams using Michelins to change to a fresh set of tires, and wouldn't even consider placing a chicane in the final turn to slow the speeds.
After a lengthy morning meeting, nine of the 10 F-1 teams said they would only compete if the chicane was put in place. Ferrari, which fields cars for Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, was the only team to refuse the chicane.
All 20 cars lined up on the starting grid even without the chicane in place. But, after the warmup lap, the 14 cars on Michelin tires all pulled into the garage and parked in protest.
...
All three drivers (who finished the race 1-2-3) were booed as they headed to the podium, the traditional champagne celebration was scrapped, and the PA announcer repeatedly implored the remaining fans in attendance not to throw debris on the track.
It matched the reaction the crowd had since the start, when they were bewildered and left pointing and gawking as they tried to figure out why the majority of the field was climbing out of their cars.
Fans booed and some threw water bottles on the track in disgust. After just 10 laps, many spectators began heading for the exits. There were reports of thousands of fans showing up at the ticket office demanding refunds, and that police had been called to keep the peace.
...
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Formula One's bid to capture the American audience was crippled Sunday when only six cars participated in the United States Grand Prix. The other 14 drivers boycotted the event amid safety concerns with their Michelin tires.
The race was in jeopardy all the way up to the start after Michelin informed the seven teams it supplies that its tires were not safe in the final banked corner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
...
The FIA, the series governing body, refused a request to allow the teams using Michelins to change to a fresh set of tires, and wouldn't even consider placing a chicane in the final turn to slow the speeds.
After a lengthy morning meeting, nine of the 10 F-1 teams said they would only compete if the chicane was put in place. Ferrari, which fields cars for Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, was the only team to refuse the chicane.
All 20 cars lined up on the starting grid even without the chicane in place. But, after the warmup lap, the 14 cars on Michelin tires all pulled into the garage and parked in protest.
...
All three drivers (who finished the race 1-2-3) were booed as they headed to the podium, the traditional champagne celebration was scrapped, and the PA announcer repeatedly implored the remaining fans in attendance not to throw debris on the track.
It matched the reaction the crowd had since the start, when they were bewildered and left pointing and gawking as they tried to figure out why the majority of the field was climbing out of their cars.
Fans booed and some threw water bottles on the track in disgust. After just 10 laps, many spectators began heading for the exits. There were reports of thousands of fans showing up at the ticket office demanding refunds, and that police had been called to keep the peace.
...