Formula 1 in trouble

Sidew13 · Post by **Sidew13** » June 20, 2005 5:24 am

http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/story/3698068

At the Indy F1 race, all but 6 teams park their cars in protest.

and

http://msn.foxsports.com/motor/story/3701634

While talking about Danica Patrick, "You know, I've got one of these wonderful ideas that women should be all dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances," Bernie Ecclestone added.

This was brought up during the NHRA race in NJ to the Women racers.
Angelle Sampey said "I don't remember if I was wearing white when I won this(pointing to championship ring) 3rd championship.

And when Shirley Muldowney was asked about the statement, "I'll kick his a$$ for her(Danica Patrick)"

You go LADIES

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » June 20, 2005 7:40 am

Re: the tire thing-Michelin said they didn't think their tires were safe to use at Indianapolis. I'm not "into" this sport, but did they not JUST race at Indianapolis on Memorial Day weekend? Were the tires safe then, and not safe now for the same track?

jonesbeach10 · Post by **jonesbeach10** » June 20, 2005 8:08 am

I'm not much of a racing fan but I THINK its a different track. In the article they mentioned turn 13 (HA!

). Last time I checked, Indy Motor Speedway is an oval track and had only 4 turns.

diamonddan · Post by **diamonddan** » June 20, 2005 9:00 am

Formula 1 is different than the Indy Cars that race on Memorial Day. They used the road course at the speedway, not the traditional oval. They also race clockwise, so turn 1 of the track is turn 13 of the road course.

Basically, Michelin came to Indianapolis unprepared. They were wanting Formula1 to change the rules to allow them to race. Formula 1 would not, so Michelin told the Teams that use their tires that they were not sure how long the tires would last, that after ten laps, they could wear out at anytime. The Michelin teams than decided not to race.

This will probably kill the sport in the US. Formula 1 has been trying to build a fan base here, and they have raced at Indy the last six years. (I attended the first four)But I don't know how many people will buy a ticket after this.

phjrsaunt · Post by **phjrsaunt** » June 20, 2005 9:02 am

Thanks for the "education" DiamondDan. Dang. I learned something today!

ZeroDuval · Post by **ZeroDuval** » June 20, 2005 9:50 am

Amazing how the road course has been the same at Indy the past 6 years and Michiphin builds a tire that they feel is unsafe on the course.......

I think the drivers should sue the sponsor....... but that will not work.

Crazy Navy Flyer · Post by **Crazy Navy Flyer** » June 20, 2005 10:04 am

Yep, as the announcers said, the race was a farce, a Bridgestone tire test. Too bad, I was looking forward to the race. I blame it on Michelin, why weren't they prepared? I applaud F1 for not changing the course or the rules for those not prepared to race the course.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 20, 2005 10:11 am

phjrsaunt wrote:Re: the tire thing-Michelin said they didn't think their tires were safe to use at Indianapolis. I'm not "into" this sport, but did they not JUST race at Indianapolis on Memorial Day weekend? Were the tires safe then, and not safe now for the same track?

completely different types of tires are used on indy and F1 cars.... plus firestone supplies the tires for the indy cars

Virgin_(Island)_Girl · Post by **Virgin_(Island)_Girl** » June 20, 2005 10:14 am

My husband is a big F1 fan and went to the race yesterday, only to be hugely disappointed.

Yes, F1 has been trying to tap into the huge US market but surely this fiasco will have not done them any good.

At the end of the day, if they wanted to race, they could have found a way to race. FIA could have agreed to the chicane at the turn where Ralphie hit the wall or Michelin could have gotten new tires or something could have been worked out.

In the end, it was all bogged down in F1 politics. The losers? The fans who, without them, there is no sport.

Virgin_(Island)_Girl · Post by **Virgin_(Island)_Girl** » June 20, 2005 10:15 am

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
phjrsaunt wrote:Re: the tire thing-Michelin said they didn't think their tires were safe to use at Indianapolis. I'm not "into" this sport, but did they not JUST race at Indianapolis on Memorial Day weekend? Were the tires safe then, and not safe now for the same track?
completely different types of tires are used on indy and F1 cars.... plus firestone supplies the tires for the indy cars

The cars are so different.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 20, 2005 10:19 am

Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:The cars are so different.

that would be the understatement of the day

i was gonna say FAI shot themselves in the foot at indy, but they missed and shot themselves in the head.....

Virgin_(Island)_Girl · Post by **Virgin_(Island)_Girl** » June 20, 2005 10:22 am

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:The cars are so different.
that would be the understatement of the day

i was gonna say FAI shot themselves in the foot at indy, but they missed and shot themselves in the head.....

They will have aliented the US market as well as pi$$ off their existing fans world-wide.

Hubby left the race yesterday after Schu ran Baricchello off the track when re-entering after his pit stop... He'd had enough.

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » June 20, 2005 10:24 am

Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:
AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
phjrsaunt wrote:Re: the tire thing-Michelin said they didn't think their tires were safe to use at Indianapolis. I'm not "into" this sport, but did they not JUST race at Indianapolis on Memorial Day weekend? Were the tires safe then, and not safe now for the same track?
completely different types of tires are used on indy and F1 cars.... plus firestone supplies the tires for the indy cars
The cars are so different.

Yep... about $1 million in cost.

ZeroDuval · Post by **ZeroDuval** » June 20, 2005 10:24 am

Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:
AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:The cars are so different.
that would be the understatement of the day

i was gonna say FAI shot themselves in the foot at indy, but they missed and shot themselves in the head.....
They will have aliented the US market as well as pi$$ off their existing fans world-wide.

Hubby left the race yesterday after Schu ran Baricchello off the track when re-entering after his pit stop... He'd had enough.

They sure did, glad we did not go down to the race this year.........

You mean his team mate did not get out of his way as in the past?

Virgin_(Island)_Girl · Post by **Virgin_(Island)_Girl** » June 20, 2005 10:26 am

iuparrothead wrote:
Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:
AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
phjrsaunt wrote:Re: the tire thing-Michelin said they didn't think their tires were safe to use at Indianapolis. I'm not "into" this sport, but did they not JUST race at Indianapolis on Memorial Day weekend? Were the tires safe then, and not safe now for the same track?
completely different types of tires are used on indy and F1 cars.... plus firestone supplies the tires for the indy cars
The cars are so different.
Yep... about $1 million in cost.

Yeah, I thought it was even a bit more, but what's a few hundred thousand when you're talking millions...

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » June 20, 2005 10:27 am

Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:
iuparrothead wrote:
Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:
AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
phjrsaunt wrote:Re: the tire thing-Michelin said they didn't think their tires were safe to use at Indianapolis. I'm not "into" this sport, but did they not JUST race at Indianapolis on Memorial Day weekend? Were the tires safe then, and not safe now for the same track?
completely different types of tires are used on indy and F1 cars.... plus firestone supplies the tires for the indy cars
The cars are so different.
Yep... about $1 million in cost.
Yeah, I thought it was even a bit more, but what's a few hundred thousand when you're talking millions...

You're right. It's at least a million... plus a few hundred g's!

Virgin_(Island)_Girl · Post by **Virgin_(Island)_Girl** » June 20, 2005 10:28 am

ZeroDuval wrote:
Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:
AlbatrossFlyer wrote:
Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:The cars are so different.
that would be the understatement of the day

i was gonna say FAI shot themselves in the foot at indy, but they missed and shot themselves in the head.....
They will have aliented the US market as well as pi$$ off their existing fans world-wide.

Hubby left the race yesterday after Schu ran Baricchello off the track when re-entering after his pit stop... He'd had enough.

They sure did, glad we did not go down to the race this year.........

You mean his team mate did not get out of his way as in the past?

You'd have thought Baricchello would know by now that it's all about Schu. I believe he got the team orders, per usual.

AlbatrossFlyer · Post by **AlbatrossFlyer** » June 20, 2005 10:29 am

during the broadcast of the canadian race they had a graphic:

cost of a NASCAR car: $150,000
cost of a F1 car: $14,000,000

although me thinks a NASCAR car costs alot more, 150 grand might buy the motor.

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » June 20, 2005 10:32 am

AlbatrossFlyer wrote:during the broadcast of the canadian race they had a graphic:

cost of a NASCAR car: $150,000
cost of a F1 car: $14,000,000

although me thinks a NASCAR car costs alot more, 150 grand might buy the motor.

I was discussing this with my brother yesterday and he was estimating about the same. Also suggested an Indy car costs about $300,000.

(he's a Toyota engineer & racetrack driving instructor)

land_shark3 · Post by **land_shark3** » June 20, 2005 10:33 am

Virgin_(Island)_Girl wrote:or Michelin could have gotten new tires or something could have been worked out.

F1 rules state only one set of tires for the entire weekend. Michelin asked to be allowed to ship in new tires from France, but the F1A upheld the one set rule.

IMO, F1 does not want to race in the US. The demands they put on host cities is more than most US cities are willing to agree with. In most race cities, the city has to come up with a portion of the prize purse. If you follow the sport then you know how large these purses can be. Schumaker's salary is close to $40 million per year with approximately another $40 million in prizes and advertisement deals.