Anyone else watching the USA F1 Gran Prix?

at least Minardi finally got some points

[Rob]

Originally Posted by L L Cool G at least Minardi finally got some points

But they aren't happy with them at all. Infact, they admitted they would have rather have gone without than race this farce.

Jordan agreed not to race and then went back on their word therefore forcing Minardi to race. I respect the fact Minardi had the balls to stand up for what they believed in before their hand was forced.

Yes, it was extremely unsportsman-like for Ferrari and Jordan (I'll exclude Minardi since they actually show some class) to decide to race. They were given more than one alternative which would have favoured them and still allowed a race like having the Bridgestone cars on the first 3 rows of the grid and have those 6 cars the only ones which were eligable to score points. However, they technically still didn't do anything wrong. I'd still be embarrassed if I were representing their teams.

At the end of the day though, it was Michelin's own fault. They supply teams with 2 sets of tyres (not the same 2 sets for every team though) and they didn't supply safe tyres. They are 100% at fault. The F.I.A has to take some blame but if Ferrari and Jordan don't agree to a chicane then they can't do anything if they don't decide to cancel the race (which they should have done).

I would be really surprised at this point if there was not one single tyre supplier next season or if there was another U.S Grand Prix lined up for a while.

[packt up]

Originally Posted by Rob Yes, it was extremely unsportsman-like for Ferrari and Jordan (I'll exclude Minardi since they actually show some class) to decide to race. They were given more than one alternative which would have favoured them and still allowed a race like having the Bridgestone cars on the first 3 rows of the grid and have those 6 cars the only ones which were eligable to score points. However, they technically still didn't do anything wrong. I'd still be embarrassed if I were representing their teams.

I agreed with most of what you said Rob but I fail to see how it was unsportsmanlike. What exactly are they supposed to do if the other teams can't finish a race? They shouldn't be expeceted to just drop out too. If Arsenal turned up to Old Trafford complaining that they didn't have any boots would that entitle them to argue for a postponement? Or some to change the sport so that feet weren't necessary? (don't exactly know how but you see my point).

Putting in a Chicane would have been just as ridiculous and just as unsafe as racing with shit tyres. Changing the track means the drivers need to relearn breaking zones, turning points and in essence the entire track becomes a different entity. Not to mention it would need an entirely different set up. Running Formula One cars is a science and throwing Chicanes in at the last minute is not going to make anything safer.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by packt up I agreed with most of what you said Rob but I fail to see how it was unsportsmanlike. What exactly are they supposed to do if the other teams can't finish a race? They shouldn't be expeceted to just drop out too. If Arsenal turned up to Old Trafford complaining that they didn't have any boots would that entitle them to argue for a postponement? Or some to change the sport so that feet weren't necessary? (don't exactly know how but you see my point). Putting in a Chicane would have been just as ridiculous and just as unsafe as racing with shit tyres. Changing the track means the drivers need to relearn breaking zones, turning points and in essence the entire track becomes a different entity. Not to mention it would need an entirely different set up. Running Formula One cars is a science and throwing Chicanes in at the last minute is not going to make anything safer.

If Arsenal showed up to a match with no boots, the match wouldn't go ahead. You need correct footwear in order to step foot on a football pitch. How exactly is it sportsmanlike for Ferrari and Jordan to race against nobody (because they weren't racing each other and let's not even kid ourselves that they were)? If the example you used for football happened, it would be fixed. Teams have shown up for matches without their kit bags before and the home team lent them their away shirts. Players have also lent boots. My point is your opposition do everything they can to ensure they are going to have a match. Only in Formula 1 would something like this happen.

As for the chicane arguement, they had more practise sessions so they could have learnt the course easily. Something could have easily been done but it wasn't.

[packt up]

Originally Posted by Rob If Arsenal showed up to a match with no boots, the match wouldn't go ahead. You need correct footwear in order to step foot on a football pitch. How exactly is it sportsmanlike for Ferrari and Jordan to race against nobody (because they weren't racing each other and let's not even kid ourselves that they were)? If the example you used for football happened, it would be fixed. Teams have shown up for matches without their kit bags before and the home team lent them their away shirts. Players have also lent boots. My point is your opposition do everything they can to ensure they are going to have a match. Only in Formula 1 would something like this happen. As for the chicane arguement, they had more practise sessions so they could have learnt the course easily. Something could have easily been done but it wasn't.

You're right on the first point.

You're wrong on the second. The qualifying had already taken place on saturday and so the cars were already in park ferme with their fuel and tyres for the race set in stone. The whole debate for a chicane took place on the saturday evening after qualifying. If the tyres weren't safe how come Michellin teams qualified? Because they wanted the negotiation of the chicane afterwards which is completely rubbish. Once qualifying takes place there are no scheduled practice sessions to follow because the cars qualify in race spec. Also there simply isn't time after qualification for proper practice before a race. There is 24 hours between them with night time and warm up races to include as well.