Eddie Jordan hits out at Michelin
Former team boss Eddie Jordan has attacked tyre supplier Michelin's approach to F1 - claiming the company has only ever been involved in the sport for its own benefits
Amid speculation that the French tyre manufacturer is considering tendering for the 2008 championship, despite its decision to pull out at the end of this year, Jordan has questioned the company's true motives.
He believes that Michelin has never done any more than necessary - and remains 'appalled' at their approach to last year's United States Grand Prix fiasco.
"I can't get Indy '05 out of my mind - it has been appalling," said Jordan in his exclusive column in the May edition of F1 Racing. "They didn't seem to make enough effort to tackle the problem.
"I mean, what did they learn from Ralf Schumacher's severe accident the year before, allegedly a result of tyre failure?
"F1 is about long-term commitment, and Michelin have never made that. I know they're in rallying - yet another manufacturer-supported series - but I'd like to know what they're doing for grass roots racing: karting and the junior formulas. Sadly, the answer is: not enough."
Jordan thinks that the FIA's approach to make F1 a control-tyre formula is correct - and believes that if Michelin is serious in considering a return, then it should think carefully about the reasons why.
"No doubt teams will complain about the budget they'll be losing from tyre deals," added Jordan, speaking about the move to a single tyre supplier. "But the teams have prostituted themselves to the tyre companies.
"Guys, don't fool yourselves or indeed your bean counters: any money a tyre company offers is miniscule compared with the excessive costs of testing.
"Michelin, no doubt you will return, so I hope you look at what you can do for F1, not just what you can get out of it."
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