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Todt wasn't present because Mosley was [censored] him in the ass.

Screw both of those [censored].

This entire debacle is disgusting. There is no doubt that Michelin is at fault here, but IMO, a bigger blame should be put on Todt and Mosley and the FIA for not willing to make this a race for the fans.

Sometimes you have to overlook the rules and do what's right for the fans.

Bastards.

-J

Saw this quote on the BBC today:

Quote:

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I was reading a book called The Wisdom of Crowds. I thought: 'If thousands of people are saying I'm a tosser, maybe they are right'


Formula One boss Max Mosley after the US Grand Prix tyres fiasco.

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I wonder if they will refund the hotel and transportation fees as well

"Refunds Offered for U.S. Grand Prix

By ASHLEY M. HEHER
Associated Press Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Tire manufacturer Michelin offered Tuesday to refund money to those who bought tickets for the U.S. Grand Prix, which was boycotted by seven Formula One teams after the company decided its tires were unsafe at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Michelin also said it would buy 20,000 tickets for the 2006 race to be given to those who attended the June 19 race during which only six of the typical 20 drivers participated.

"Michelin deeply regrets that the public was deprived of an exciting race and therefore wishes to be the first, among the different groups involved in the Indianapolis race, to make a strong gesture towards the spectators," the company said.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman Ron Green said the track was not notified about the refund until 30 minutes before Michelin issued its statement.



"We're very encouraged by what they released today," Green said. "Finally, they're acknowledging that they will provide for the fans what the fans deserve. That's all we'd hoped for."

Green said the speedway expects to be asked to administer the refunds. He told fans to "sit tight" and await more information. Green said all fans who purchased tickets would be eligible for the refund.

Reserved seat tickets for this month's race ranged from $75 to $150. The speedway does not release attendance figures for any of its races, but media reports estimated the U.S. Grand Prix crowd at 100,000.

Michelin's refund offer for this year's race could cost the company about $10 million if 100,000 ticket holders seek refunds at an average of $100 each. A similar average ticket price could cost the company $2 million for the 2006 race tickets it offered to buy.


Two Michelin tires failed during practice sessions two days before the race - one causing a wreck that prevented Ralf Schumacher from competing.

Nine of the 10 teams, excluding Ferrari, proposed to run the race if a series of turns was installed to slow cars on a high-speed part of the course. Ferrari and FIA, the sport's ruling body, rejected the possible compromise, with FIA president Max Mosley saying he would not change the rules because some teams brought the wrong equipment.

Michelin said it believed the FIA's decision was "totally incomprehensible and reflects a lack of respect for the spectators."

"The reality is that together, Michelin and its partners have done everything possible to assure that the race could take place in total safety," the company said. "We are extremely disappointed that the proposals made with all our teams were not accepted. These proposals, including a chicane, were technically viable and totally met all safety requirements."

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and the saga continues
"Formula One to Penalize Seven Teams

By JEROME PUGMIRE
Associated Press Writer

PARIS (AP) -- Formula One's governing body ruled Wednesday the seven teams that boycotted the United States Grand Prix were guilty of failing to provide suitable tires and wrongfully refusing to allow their cars to start.

The FIA will announce their punishments Sept. 14.

BMW-Williams, Mercedes-McLaren, BAR-Honda, Toyota, Sauber, Red Bull and Renault declined to race June 19 after their tire manufacturer, Michelin, said its tires were unsafe for the Indianapolis circuit.

In a joint statement, the teams said they were "very disappointed by the decision of the World Motor Sport Council to find them guilty" and will appeal. The teams added that they "reasonably relied on Michelin, an approved FIA tire supplier" - meaning that it was not their fault if unsuitable tires were supplied.


Though Michelin offered fans refunds and free tickets for next year's race, FIA president Max Mosley had harsh words for the company.

"It's a big step forward, but delaying as they have done has caused a lot of damage," Mosley said at a news conference. "The facts speak for themselves. It was a disastrous performance from that company and they should be deeply ashamed."

In September, the teams will face punishments ranging from a reprimand to life bans - but the FIA can only indirectly punish Michelin by applying pressure on the teams using its tires.

"The difficulty here is that the FIA has no contractual relationship with Michelin, we are not in a position to impose penalties," Mosley said. "Had this been the case and judging by what we heard today, Michelin would have found themselves in a very difficult position."



Mosley added that until the penalties are determined, the teams and Michelin must show what steps they will take "to compensate the Formula One fans and repair the damage to the reputation" of the Indianapolis racetrack and "to the image of the Formula One."

Michelin claimed its tests showed the tires were not "intrinsically flawed" and justified demands for a chicane, or a curve, to be installed to slow cars on a high-speed part of the course. Michelin added that the circuit's banked Turn 13 was unique to the championship and the pressure exerted on the rear left tires was greater than estimated.

The FIA refused the request, even though nine of the 10 teams - excluding Ferrari - said they would race if the turns were installed.

"They were asking for a chicane when they said they didn't know the root cause of the problem," Mosley said. "So how did they know a chicane would be safe if they didn't know the root cause? This completely begs the question: why did they not turn up with proper tires?"

Two Michelin tires failed during practice sessions two days before the race - one causing a wreck that prevented Ralf Schumacher from competing.

Mosley said the race could have gone ahead safely if teams were prepared to adopt a Michelin-only speed limit on turn 13, Michelin runners used the pit lane instead of the banked corner, or there were repeated pit stops to change damaged tires.

In a joint statement, 19 F1 drivers - including Fernando Alonso and David Coulthard - argued against this, saying, "This suggestion would have been an unprecedented restriction ... and would have been completely contrary to the competitive essence of Formula One. It would have been unworkable, unpoliceable and above all, unsafe."

The problems are the latest that threaten to break up the F1 series.

Nine of the teams are considering a breakaway series in 2008 backed by three key manufacturers - BMW, Mercedes and Renault. Honda and Toyota have also given unofficial support to the idea.

They are opposed by Mosley, F1 owner Bernie Ecclestone and Ferrari. Ecclestone is trying to persuade the teams to sign a new contract beginning in 2008 and Ferrari has already signed up through 2012.

The next F1 race is the French GP at Magny Cours on Sunday.
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