Originally posted by Horse:
ok - since I really dont like F1 and I follow NASCAR more, someone tell me what this is all about? Michelin made a bad tire???



the one tire rule doesn't permit teams to switch tires after the qualifying session is over. the car is essentially in "parc firme" once qualifying starts. then one tire is used for the entire race, pitstops are only for fuel changes now. this was supposed to help the lesser teams lower their overall costs because they aren't going through 2-8 sets of tires per race.

apparently, turn 13, which is part of the NASCAR oval has an exit speed that was unexpectedly quick given the other regulations put on the cars like power and downforce changes. the Michelin's weren't designed to withstand that exit speed and degraded too quickly during qualifying. Toyota had the worst of it, but Michelin convinced all teams that it was not safe to race under those conditions. the options (1 hour before the race, televised live worldwide) were as follows:

1) add a new temporary chicane to the beginning of turn 13 to reduce the final exit speed and entry to the straight.

2) allow teams to introduce a newly formulated tire that WOULD work, but was not used during qualifying.

FIA refused both options, and only the 6 Bridgestone cars ran.

Michelin was in the right on this one and FIA seriously screwed things up, IMO.

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