Full Throttle

No, No, NO! Twasn’t us, go ask Michelin for your wasted cash.

The president of Formula One’s governing body thinks Michelin should compensate fans who bought tickets for the United States Grand Prix fiasco.

“My personal view is that Michelin should offer to compensate the fans on a fair basis,” Max Mosley said Wednesday in a FIA statement. “Anyone who had a ticket this year would be entitled to the same ticket free of charge next year.”

Question. Why would the FIA President offer a “personal view” prior to the scheduled hearing with the 7 Michelin teams and the FIA?

Rather obvious isn’t it? By bringing charges up against the 7 teams then offering his personel view he shifts the blame from the FIA and taints the “jury.” At the same time any shift in public opinion - that seams to be evenly divided between Michelin and the FIA - as a result of his comments are a bonus.

Crafty guy isn’t he? I, for one ain’t buying it. And somehow I don’t think Tony George will be either and there won’t be ‘06 tickets to make the exchange with.

The largest question of all still looms. What penalty will be handed down? A monetary fine would be the most logical and least damaging to competition.

If the governing body chooses to dock championship points from the teams they open their selves to charges of favoritism towards Ferrari. Renault has already lost 18 points toward the manufacturers championship to Ferrari and Alonzo 10 points to Shumie in the drivers standings. The same can be said for suspending the teams for a race or two. There are enough events left that they could spread out suspensions one team per race, but that possibly could favor Ferrari and making a larger mockery of the sport than it already is.

The FIA has made a bed that isn’t as comfy as your favorite king size Beauty Rest and I don’t think they are sleeping very well at any rate.

Meanwhile, not to be outdone in the obsurdity department, the FIA is shifting all blame to the 7 boycotting teams. “In a letter separately addressed to the seven principals, it is alleged that they failed to have ’suitable’ tyres, that they ‘wrongfully refused’ to race, ‘damaged the image’ of the sport and failed to notify stewards.”

Not surprising given the current scenario of the FIA sending the teams to Paris for an inqusition. But I wonder… just how is it the teams are responsibile for providing suitable tyres.?