29/06/2005
NEWS STORY
The seven teams that opted to withdraw from the United States Grand Prix have been found guilty on two charges of bringing the sport into disrepute.
However, all seven teams were found not guilty of the other three charges.
The seven teams were found guilty of "failing to ensure they were in possession of suitable tyres" for the United States Grand Prix, but with "strong mitigating circumstances".
The penalty will be decided on September 14, after the Belgian Grand Prix.
Speaking following today's hearing, FIA president, Max Mosley, said: "The World Motor Sport Council has decided to adjourn discussion of penalty to an extraordinary meeting, when it will be seen what steps have been taken to compensate the fans, and also what steps have been taken by the Michelin teams to make sure nothing like this ever happens again. The final decision will then be made after that."
Mosley revealed that the FIA is unable to "punish" Michelin, because it is merely a (tyre) supplier to F1 and not a competitor
"The difficulty is the FIA has no relationship with the Michelin tyre company, so we are in no position to impose a penalty in Michelin," he said. "Judging from what we heard from the teams they would have found themselves in a very difficult position."
The seven teams will be holding their own press conferences this afternoon.
More to follow.