Highlights

Michelin looking to pump up fans at U.S. GP

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-06-30 09:32

INDIANAPOLIS, June 29 - A week after celebrating one of the brightest moments in their Formula One history, Michelin are back at the scene of one of their darkest days.

Last Sunday, the French tyre makers trumpeted their 100th grand prix victory after Renault's world champion Fernando Alonso won the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

The mood at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which hosts Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix, is more sombre.

Last year, all six Michelin-equipped teams withdrew before the race following spectacular tyre failures in practice and arguments about safety.

Just six cars, all on Bridgestone tyres, started and Ferrari's Michael Schumacher's 'victory' was met by jeers and whistles from a bottle-throwing crowd.

"We weren't sure how people would react to last year," Michelin's F1 director Nick Shorrock told Reuters on Thursday. "Most people seem to have understood that safety is an issue we're not prepared to compromise on.

"We were obviously very keen to come back. We're excited about racing here, we want to race here, we wanted to race here last year.

"This is the only race track we have never won at, in fact it's the only track on the F1 calendar we've never won at.

"It would be nice to win this one before we pull out at the end of the year.

GREAT LENGTHS

Michelin, who are leaving the sport before it moves to a single tyre supplier, have gone to great lengths this year to make amends and win back disillusioned American F1 fans.

The tyre maker offered refunds to last year's race and purchased 20,000 tickets to be given away in a buy two get one free deal to fans who attended last year.