F1 Says Michelin Teams Damaged Reputation

By JEROME PUGMIRE, AP Sports WriterTue Jun 21, 8:42 AM ET

Formula One's governing body has charged the seven teams using Michelin
tires with damaging the sport's image by pulling out of this past
weekend's United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis.

The FIA, which has summoned the seven teams to a June 29 hearing in
Paris, charged each team with a breach of Article 151c of the
International Sporting Code.

The FIA released copies Tuesday of letters it sent to Renault,
McLaren-Mercedes, Toyota, Williams-BMW, BAR-Honda, Sauber and Red Bull.

The charges include failing to ensure they had a suitable set of tires,
wrongfully refusing to allow their cars to start the race, wrongfully
refusing to allow their cars to race subject to a speed restriction and
combining with other teams "to make a demonstration damaging to the
image of Formula One by pulling into the pits immediately before the
start of the race."

The teams also were accused of failing to notify stewards of their
intention not to race.

Possible sanctions include fines, docked points or even an order to pay
compensation.

Michelin provides seven of the 10 F1 teams with tires. Only six cars —
using Bridgestone tires — started the race in Indianapolis on Sunday
after 14 drivers left the track following the warmup lap. Ferrari's
Michael Schumacher won, climbing from his car to a chorus of boos.

The same seven teams were among the nine teams that boycotted meetings
called by FIA president Max Mosley in January and April to discuss
regulations for the 2008 season. It was unclear whether they'll attend
the June 29 meeting.

Two Michelin tires failed during Friday's practices — one causing a
wreck that prevented Toyota's Ralf Schumacher from competing — prompting
Michelin to rule its tires were unsafe for the Indianapolis track.

Michelin unsuccessfully asked FIA to ease its rule forbidding teams from
changing tires after qualifying. FIA also refused to consider installing
a curve that Michelin said would slow speeds and make the track safer
for its tires. Michelin then advised its teams not to compete.

"We are absolutely not embarrassed about our decision, although we do
have regrets for the fans of Formula One and for the racing drivers of
course," Frederic Henry-Biabaud, Michelin's deputy director of
competition, said Monday.

"We feel it is a reasonable decision and we were professional to bear in
mind primarily the safety of the drivers," Henry-Biabaud said. "We had
no other choice."