Full Throttle

Jarno Trulli winning the pole at the United States Grand Prix should be a headline making event, and it is. It’s made even more so because it’s Toyota’s first ever Formula One pole position.

Toyota’s accomplishment is being overshadowed by an impending tyre crisis (insert Bridgestone chuckles here), that was presaged by Ralf Schumacher’s Michelin tyre related crash in practice. A crash that will prevent Ralf from competing this weekend and placed Ricardo Zonta in the cockpit of Ralf’s ride. Ralf’s accident and continuing tyre problems on Saturday prompted most of the Michelin shod teams to stage a protest of sorts by not completing their practice laps. Instead of traversing the banked turn 13 they did a drive through of the pits, exited, then continued on with another lap.

All seven Michelin-shod teams will run in the qualifying session, but a decision as to whether they will race has yet to be made.

Michelin have issued set up details, involving camber angles and tyre pressures, to all of their partner teams, but wish to fly in a new specification of tyre for the race tomorrow.

The FIA is unlikely to allow this on the grounds that it would contravene no fewer than four regulations: A different actual tyre; a different specification of tyre; more than the allowed number of sets per weekend and non-nomination of tyre prior to Saturday a.m.

An FIA spokesman has confirmed that the regulations do allow for a race where there are ‘less than 12 runners’ to be cancelled, but the commercial ramifications of such a move would be calamitous for Formula One in America.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore has indicated that unless the new specification of tyre is permitted, which would need the approval of both the FIA and the Bridgestone runners Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi, he may withdraw the cars of Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella on the grounds of driver safety.

If this were to happen, it is likely that other teams would follow suit.

Bridgestone distanced themselves from the affair, a spokesman commenting:

“The decision as to whether Michelin are permitted to run a new specification lies with the FIA and we will respect that decision.”

Cancel the USGP? Not a chance in hell, for a change the FIA will have to dismount their throne and make rule consessions to allow new Michelin tyres for the event.

Please take note NASCAR fans, yes I’m talking to you guys, advocating another tire war in NASCAR over perceived Goodyear problems is flat out nuts. Been there, done that, and it can become dangerous as the tire companies compete for supremacy.

UPDATE: George of Fast Machines noted another USGP headline I missed. Both Renault and McLaren have removed the shackles and given permission to their respective drivers to race each other.

With a genuine contest developing for the world championship, the most compelling season for years has been given a further boost by the McLaren and Renault teams confirming that the contenders Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso will have to race their own team-mates as well as each other in the 10 remaining races.

In a refreshing change to Michael Schumacher’s domination, when Rubens Barrichello was required to play the role of reluctant sidekick, Juan Pablo Montoya of McLaren and Giancarlo Fisichella of Renault go into tomorrow’s United States grand prix here knowing they will be free to compete for race victories, with both teams trusting in their drivers’ good sense to avoid jeopardising a strong result.

Wait! Hasn’t “team orders” been illegal since the bruhaha stirred up during the 2003 Austrian grand prix when Barrichello dominated the event only to have Ferrari order Rubens to give the win to Michael Schumacher?

Yea I thought so! Oh, and thanks George.