F1 Says Michelin Teams Damaged Reputation

PARIS (AP) - Formula One&#39;s governing body has charged the seven teams using Michelin tires with damaging the sport&#39;s image by pulling out of this past weekend&#39;s United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> The FIA released copies Tuesday of letters it sent to Renault, McLaren-Mercedes, Toyota, Williams-BMW, BAR-Honda, Sauber and Red Bull.<br> <br> 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 &#34;to make a demonstration damaging to the image of Formula One by pulling into the pits immediately before the start of the race.&#34;<br> <br> The teams also were accused of failing to notify stewards of their intention not to race.<br> <br> Possible sanctions include fines, docked points or even an order to pay compensation.<br> <br> 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&#39;s Michael Schumacher won, climbing from his car to a chorus of boos.<br> <br> 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&#39;ll attend the June 29 meeting. <br> <br> Two Michelin tires failed during Friday&#39;s practices - one causing a wreck that prevented Toyota&#39;s Ralf Schumacher from competing - prompting Michelin to rule its tires were unsafe for the Indianapolis track.<br> <br> 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.<br> <br> &#34;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,&#34; Frederic Henry-Biabaud, Michelin&#39;s deputy director of competition, said Monday.<br> <br> &#34;We feel it is a reasonable decision and we were professional to bear in mind primarily the safety of the drivers,&#34; Henry-Biabaud said. &#34;We had no other choice.&#34;<br> <br> © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.