Michelin condemns Mosley over US Grand Prix fiasco
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Edouard Michelin, the Michelin chairman, has rebuked Max Mosley, the president of the governing body of international motor sport, the FIA, for "erroneous" allegations about the tyre company after the US Grand Prix fiasco.
"I feel it necessary to let you know how discontented I was of both the nature of your contentions - which are based on mere allegations - and the suspicious and inappropriate tone employed," he said in a letter to the FIA president.
A copy of the letter was also sent to the seven Formula One teams that use Michelin tyres.
The rebuke came 24 hours before the seven teams - championship leaders Renault, McLaren-Mercedes, Williams-BMW, Toyota, Sauber-Petronas, Red Bull and BAR-Honda - appear before the FIA's world motorsport council in Paris to answer charges of bringing the sport into disrepute. If found guilty today, they could face heavy sanctions.
None took part in the grand prix at Indianapolis on 19 June, when only six cars went to the starting grid, after Michelin said they could not guarantee the safety of the tyres.
Michelin, who spoke to Mosley by telephone after the fiasco, said the company was "very disappointed about the way race turned out. However, safety is and has always been the first priority for Michelin."
Michelin noted that a fax sent by Mosley to the Michelin motorsport director, Pierre Dupasquier, on 21 June, and also forwarded to him, had been subsequently circulated to the press and on the internet.
"Such disclosure, which contains erroneous allegations, may have damaging consequences on Michelin's reputation," he said.
Michelin accused Mosley of repeatedly blaming the company, either directly or indirectly. "Will you at least recognise publicly that we have taken a courageous, honest and transparent stance for the safety of the drivers?" he asked in the letter.
"I hope you will be fair enough to acknowledge that Michelin did the maximum to preserve a true and safe race by proposing a very serious and pragmatic alternative. This is the opposite of a boycott," he added.
The teams had asked for a temporary chicane to be installed at Indianapolis, a request rejected by the FIA. They suggested instead that Michelin-shod drivers take the corner at reduced speed, use the pit lane or come in repeatedly for a change of tyres.
Michelin confirmed that Michelin's own investigations had shown that the loads exerted on rear left tyres through the circuit's turn 13 were far greater than the highest estimates of the company's engineers.
"Contrary to what is alluded in your fax, there is no reason to worry about the fundamental reliability of Michelin," he told Mosley. "I can confirm that Michelin will be present with safe and competitive tyres at the forthcoming races."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments