FIA Backs Down in Tire Dispute

Topics:  Federation International de l'Automobile (FIA), Formula 1, United States Grand Prix, Michelin

VOA Sports
14 July 2005

The International Automobile Federation, Formula One's governing body, has lifted the threat of sanctions against several teams that refused to take part in last month's U.S. Grand Prix because of fears over tire safety.

In a statement Thursday, FIA 's senate said it recommended against punishing Renault, McLaren, Williams, Toyota, Red Bull, Sauber and British American Racing. The decision followed receipt of new evidence submitted by all the teams except Red Bull.

The teams withdrew from the U.S. race because they use Michelin tires, and the manufacturer had declared them them unsafe for the Indianapolis circuit after Ralf Schumacher crashed in practice. FIA had ruled that the teams were guilty of failing to provide suitable tires and wrongfully refusing to race.

The governing body said the teams were right to follow Michelin's recommendations an pull out of the race. A recommendation to drop the guilty verdicts will be made to FIA's World Motor Sport Council in the next few days.

Some information for this report provided by AP