Interesting firsthand account what happenings at the USGP from Paul Stodda

[conecrazy]

*it's pretty long* but he talks about what really happened at the meetings.

http://f1.racing-live.com/en/index.html?http://f1.racing-live.com/en/headlines/news/detail/050622131809.shtml

[SportVortech]

eh

cliff notes:

Bridgestone + Michelin teams supported chicane option. Mosley refused. Paul, Flavio, etc. pissed.
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In the end the problem was Michelins. You just cant reconstruct a track because of a tires incompetence, not when your competitor is more than capable.

BUT

Even though it was michelins fault, it doesnt mean that I agree that they shouldnt have flexed the rules to appease the 100,000+ that make the sport happen, and later just heavily fined Michelin and team owners. They have flexed them before, and in this case, should have again. But as I said, in the end, the true fault was that of michelin. The decision of mosley not only hurt the teams, it hurt everyone. Overall, the consequence of not bending the rules are going to be far greater, than if they were bent. Better of two evils I say.

[conecrazy]

couldn't agree with you more. i think it's gonna be interesting in the next few months.

[adam gs-r]

woah interesting

[conecrazy]

the other side of the story. heheh talk about contraversy.

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press_Releases/FIA_Sport/2005/June/220605-01.html

[SecretAgent]

Paul Stodda sounds like a whiny little bitch in his letter. He's doing nothing but pointing fingers and shifting blame. While, I rarely ever support the controversial decisions of Max Mosley, in this situation I don't see how he could have been more correct. All of his decisions were logical and well thought out. Unlike those of the teams and those of the promoters. Unfortunately, the promoters and teams are bringing more shame to the sport than what they realize. The bitching and name calling they are doing will do more future damage than the "non-race" USGP ever will.

[conecrazy]

Given that, I still don't think that sole blame falls on just one party. I think both sides had a fault in it.

You know something like this happened in NASCAR several years back. The difference is how NASCAR handled it vs how FIA handled it. I think Mosley refuses to acknowledge any responsibility to the viewing public his own contribution to destroying what is in the "best interest of the sport."

Also in that interview, it sounds to me that Max also wants Tony George to help foot the bill on compensating the spectators.