The Third Leader: Off track
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.Phew, or perhaps, pneu! Not a good day, at Indianapolis, for Michelin, for Formula One racing, or for anyone arguing the attractions of racing about in screeching, belching, guzzling machines and occasionally killing yourself. Down here, of course, we take a Voltairean line on defending to the death, and your death, the right to go round in circles; we are aware, too, that, as with opera, oysters and Big Brother, there may be subtleties which we are not sufficiently sophisticated to appreciate; but, on the other hand, blimey.
Phew, or perhaps, pneu! Not a good day, at Indianapolis, for Michelin, for Formula One racing, or for anyone arguing the attractions of racing about in screeching, belching, guzzling machines and occasionally killing yourself. Down here, of course, we take a Voltairean line on defending to the death, and your death, the right to go round in circles; we are aware, too, that, as with opera, oysters and Big Brother, there may be subtleties which we are not sufficiently sophisticated to appreciate; but, on the other hand, blimey.
Should you not be entirely au fait, a brief recap, as I understand it. Driver using Michelin tyres crashes on corner at 175mph practising for big race. Michelin says its tyres not safe to go round corner. Michelin asks for chicane before corner to slow everyone down. Not all agree. There is a suggestion that everyone should drive more slowly. Ditto. Race starts and Michelin men drive straight to pits, leaving six cars to race instead of 20. Crowd not happy: imagine 130,000 enraged Homer Simpsons. Quite. Beer cans thrown.
What's to be done? Well, they were already trying to make it more fun, and this might well be an inspirational, if disguised, blessing. Perhaps the drivers should race straight to the pits, then run to grab the bottle of champagne. And then there's the driving-more-slowly option: how about last man wins? Or without one of those blondes falling off the bonnet? Bruce Forsyth? Graham Norton?
If all that's too radical, surely it would be far more gripping (sorry), and useful, to have a set of typical speed limits (no police drivers allowed, obviously). Alternatively: anyone for tennis?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments