USA: Toyota accused of wrongdoing


By Nick Sparkes
June 21 2005

The FIA released a statement outlining that all 7 of the Michelin teams will face charges over the boycott of Sunday's race. This means that McLaren, Williams, BAR, Renault, Toyota, Sauber and Red Bull Racing will face a hearing on June 29th which could see penalties handed out to each of the teams.

All 7 teams are accused of contravening article 151c of the International Sporting Code – the article that refers to “acts prejudicial to the interests of competition or motor sport generally.”

 

The FIA will look at these 5 transgressions committed by all 7 Michelin teams:

 

- Failed to ensure that you had a supply of suitable tyres for the race.

- Wrongfully refused to allow your cars to start the race.

- Wrongfully refused to allow your cars to race subject to a speed restriction at one corner, which was safe for such tyres as you had available.

- Combined with other teams to make a demonstration damaging to the image of Formula 1 by pulling into the pits immediately before the start of the race.

- That you failed to notify the stewards of your intention not to race.

 

Next Wednesday the teams will defend themselves against these charges.

 

But it doesn’t look as though Michelin or the FIA is getting away scot-free. Outraged spectators are taking Michelin, the FIA and the Indianapolis circuit to court after Sunday’s 6-car race.

There will be a demand for refunds as well as reimbursements, whilst the FIA blame Michelin, and Michelin blame the FIA, it looks like the lawsuits will hold each of the three parties evenly responsible. An outcome will hopefully be resolved during the next couple of weeks.

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