The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Motor : FIA summons teams that withdrew from Sunday's race

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Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005

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Sport - Racing : Motor

FIA summons teams that withdrew from Sunday's race

Principal Correspondent

I mainly feel sorry for the supporters,says Ferrari boss Jean Todt

CHENNAI: All seven Formula One teams that withdrew from the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis on Sunday have been charged with bringing the sport into disrepute. FIA has summoned Toyota, Renault, McLaren-Mercedes, BMW Williams, BAR Honda, Sauber Petronas and Red Bulls to a hearing in Paris on June 29.

The FIA for obvious reasons cannot ban the teams - imagine only four underperforming cars competing alongside the two Ferraris - but FIA chief Max Mosley has hinted that teams could be asked to compensate the spectators, who paid $100 a ticket to watch the race. A refund could potentially amount to $16 million; the teams could also end up being fined by their sponsors. Bernie Ecclestone himself could be sued for the millions of dollars it cost the race organisers to set up the race.

Harm to image

Ferrari boss Jean Todt has expressed sympathy for the thousands of fans left disappointed after 14 drivers pulled out of the Grand Prix, but added that his team had nothing to do with the scandal. "I mainly feel sorry for all the supporters who were here, for the American supporters, for the TV viewers but it was not our decision," Todt said on Monday, adding that the boycott had done serious harm to Formula One's image, particularly in the United States.

Todt denied that Ferrari was consulted about the suggestion to include a chicane in the circuit to limit speeds near Turn 13.

"We were never involved in the discussions preceding the withdrawal. We were never asked whether a chicane could be built in the quick banked corner (where one of the Michelin tyre failures had taken place on Friday)," said Todt.

"We wouldn't have agreed to it, but whether we did or not is another question. But is it serious to decide to put in a chicane half an hour before without nobody testing it? It's ridiculous."

Todt pointed out that in the first place, it had been an FIA decision.

"If something happened on the other side; if, for example, we don't have enough grip for qualifying and ask for three laps because we have good grip after the third lap, or if we ask for a chicane because we feel it would be safer for our tyres, I think everybody would laugh at us," Todt reasoned.

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