EXCLUSIVE: Build a Chicane or We Don't Race, Say Michelin Teams!
Written by: Adam Cooper Indianapolis, Ind. 6/18/2005
The seven Michelin teams have agreed that they will only race in the USGP if a chicane is fitted before the banked Turn 13 overnight.
The teams have written a letter to the FIA explaining their position and requesting the construction of a chicane.
However that is extremely unlikely to happen, which means that we could see a race take place with just the six Bridgestone cars in it, if the Michelin teams stick to their agreement.
The news emerged after most of the worlds media had headed off to dine in downtown Indy, which means that Speedtv.com was left to get a world exclusive insight from the key personnel involved, none of whom was prepared to be quoted on the record.
However four team bosses made it quite clear to us that this was a serious decision and that there was now no other alternative.
The bombshell decision came after a meeting of the team principals and Michelin bosses. The French company could not guarantee the safety of its tires, and the fact that this race is in the USA, where litigation is common, made things even more awkward.
The option of using the Barcelona tires imported from Clermont-Ferrand has in effect been abandoned. Teams decided that they had no real information about whether they would last, and also there was no firm knowledge about what penalties might ensue if they were used, although it is understood that the FIA had informally suggested that something like a 10 second stop-and-go rather than exclusion.
Thus the chicane option was considered the only viable choice. Bernie Ecclestone has agreed that it makes sense, and he is duty bound to provide a full field of cars for the race for promoter Tony George.
However, the practicalities are insurmountable in terms of designing a chicane, building it, and ensuring that it is safe. Changes to tracks go through a strict homologation process. All those jobs are the responsibility of Charlie Whiting.
As of 8 p.m. Saturday night, nothing was being done to put the process into motion, and we understand that while Bernie wants it to happen, there are too many hurdles to be overcome in terms of safety. We understand that Whiting has resisted pressure from Ecclestone to make it happen, comewhat may.
The cars are of course equipped with the downforce configuration and gear ratios for the track as it was designed, and they wont be allowed to change.
The only realistic alternative is that the teams opt to run slowly through the problematic Turn 13. That is what bemused Ferrari sources suggest they do, anyway, having indicated that there was no way it was going to happen.
This story is not yet over, and Sunday at Indy could be the most dramatic and emotionally charged day at any F1 circuit since 1994.
On TV they said the only team threatening not to race was Renault so far. Also, Michelin is bringing the tires used in Barcelona to USA, let´s see what´s going to happen.
I've still got a camera, but the zoom/film combo on it is useless for action shots.
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