Announcement

**hancheyb** · 06-21-2005, 09:06 AM

June 21, 2005

From the DMN...

Formula One calls internal hearing

Mass driver pullout at U.S. Grand Prix will result in hearings

02:25 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Associated Press

PARIS – Formula One's governing body summoned seven teams using Michelin tires to a hearing later this month after they pulled out of the United States Grand Prix for safety reasons.

The FIA hearing in Paris on June 29 could lead to a range of punishments – including fines, docked points or even suspensions – and possibly throw the F1 season into chaos with 10 races left.

Michelin provides seven of the 10 F1 teams with tires. Only six cars – using Bridgestone tires – started the race in Indianapolis on Sunday after 14 drivers left the track following the warmup lap. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won, climbing from his car to a chorus of boos.

Teams from Renault, McLaren-Mercedes, Toyota, Williams-BMW, BAR-Honda, Sauber and Red Bull – none of which raced – were told to attend the Paris hearing.

Those seven teams were among the nine teams that boycotted meetings called by FIA president Max Mosley in January and April to discuss regulations for the 2008 season. It was unclear whether they'll attend the June 29 meeting.

Two Michelin tires failed during Friday's practices – one causing a wreck that prevented Toyota's Ralf Schumacher from competing – prompting Michelin to rule its tires were unsafe for the Indianapolis track.

FIA said it had "clear rules" that everyone had to keep.

"These cannot be negotiated each time a competitor brings the wrong equipment to a race," FIA said in a statement Monday.

Michelin unsuccessfully asked FIA to ease its rule forbidding teams to change tires after qualifying. FIA also refused to consider installing a curve. Michelin then advised its teams not to compete.

"What about the American fans? What about Formula One fans worldwide? Rather than boycott the race, the Michelin teams should have agreed to run at reduced speed in turn 13," FIA said, referring to the part of the Indianapolis circuit that Michelin said was too fast for their tires. "By refusing to run ... they have damaged themselves and the sport."

Michelin defended its decision.

"We are absolutely not embarrassed about our decision, although we do have regrets for the fans of Formula One and for the racing drivers of course," Frederic Henry-Biabaud, Michelin's deputy director of competition, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday.

"We feel it is a reasonable decision and we were professional to bear in mind primarily the safety of the drivers," Henry-Biabaud said. "We had no other choice."

Announcement

June 21, 2005

June 21, 2005

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