F1 Back On Track in France?

This weekend’s French Grand Prix, was a lot more straight forward than last month’s US race – Renault and Michelin’s Fernando Alonso won what commentators described as an emphatic victory. Mclaren’s Kimi Raikonnen took second place, while Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher filled the last remaining podium position. Jenson Button gained his first points of the season by taking fourth place (Button’s San Marino result was annulled after BAR were disqualified).

With baking track temperatures of 51 degrees Celsius, tyre performance was one again an important issue. However, this time there was no huge problems. Of the top eight drivers, seven were running Michelin tyres.

Meanwhile as the tempest caused at the US Grand Prix subsides. French manufacturer, Michelin, has been suggesting ways it could make a mends for its teams’ absence from Indianapolis. One idea was to for Michelin to put on an extra “free” race at Indianapolis at the end of the season. This was promptly ruled out by US Grand Prix promoter, Tony George.

“There will be no (race) at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this fall,” Tony George told the Indianapolis Star. “Our position to Bernie (Ecclestone), who is our link to the F1 community, is that the sooner we can get the focus back on the real issues that affect all of us, the better off we’ll be,” he added.

Team bosses said at the French Grand Prix on Friday that they had suggested a non-championship race at the circuit after the season ends in October, although the three teams using Bridgestone tyres were reportedly unlikely to want to attend.