Indy race under threat

UPDATE #2 Bernie Ecclestone has said he is absolutely sure that Michelin's tire dramas will not lead to a mass withdrawal from tomorrow's United States Grand Prix. Ecclestone is due to hold a meeting with team bosses at Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon to discuss the tire situation, with Michelin wanting to be allowed to run new specification tires for Sunday's race after Ralf Schumacher's practice accident. Michelin's hopes of being allowed to run with those new tires will depend on unanimous approval from the teams, and permission from the FIA – but Ecclestone is confident that a solution can be found.

"I think they (the Michelin runners) will find a tire that will work and they will be able to start alright," said Ecclestone in an interview with ITV.

When asked whether he would allow the teams to run with the new tires, Ecclestone said it was likely but the decision could lead to post-race protests from rival teams. "I think if they do (run the new tires), they will be in breach of regulations, that is obvious, but I am sure the stewards will let them run and we will see afterwards what will happen," he explained.

Ecclestone made it clear, however, that he had no doubts there would be a full grid for the start of the race. "Absolutely," he claimed. "I am 100 percent sure it will happen." Atlas/Autosport

06/18/05 Renault say they will not race in Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix if Michelin are denied permission to bring in new tires. "We fully support Michelin in this situation, and in the efforts they are making to best resolve it," Renault boss Flavio Briatore told the team's official website on Saturday. "They are flying out different tires to use in tomorrow's race, the same that were used in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix," he said. "The authorization to use them has not yet been granted but if that were not given, we would not compete in tomorrow's race. The safety of our drivers remains our number one priority." 06/18/05 Michelin clad Formula One teams have threatened to pull out of the United States grand prix if not authorized to race Michelin's emergency tire spec. The tire, designed for Barcelona, is en route to Indianapolis following safety concerns with the two existing specifications. ''We fully support Michelin in this situation,'' said Renault principal Flavio Briatore.

Using the new tire would require the FIA and Bridgestone teams Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi's consent. Briatore said that authorization has not yet been granted. ''If (not),'' the Italian warned, ''we would not compete in tomorrow's race. The safety of our drivers remains our number one priority.'' GMMF1NET