30/06/2006
NEWS STORY
 |
Contrary to public opinion, the Formula One 'circus', didn't get the tag due to the amount of clowns that frequent the paddock, but due to the fact that like a traditional circus, Formula One moves from town to town - or rather country to country - pitching its tents and big top and (hopefully) putting on a show for the locals.
However, no sooner had the 'circus' arrived in Indianapolis, having made the trip from Montreal, than one couldn't help but feel the clown analogy might be appropriate after all.
From virtually the moment the F1 'circus' arrived at Indianapolis, the 'usual suspects', both in the paddock and the media, kicked off the flex-wings saga once again.
If there is one thing that is going to do damage to this sport - other than a repetition of the shambles that was Indianapolis 2005 - it is for the flexing-wing saga to continue throughout the summer.
It might make sensational headlines for those that thrive on such things, but in reality the sport is being seriously damaged by what appears to be a 'he said, she said' campaign.
The cynical might suggest that Honda, which clearly led the campaign in Canada, is accusing BMW of cheating in an attempt to deflect - no pun intended - from its own (on-going) performance problems, and Nick Fry was never backward in coming forward when it came to voicing his thoughts to the media.
At the start of the season the finger was pointed at Ferrari, yet the FIA - the sport's governing body - declared that the wing was legal. Then, the finger was pointed at various other teams, culminating in Charlie Whiting, the FIA's technical delegate, advising teams, ahead of the Canada Grand Prix, that 'separators' had to be placed between the planes of rear wings in order to prevent them flexing.
However, on arrival in Montreal, at a time when BMW was making headlines courtesy of a double points finish at Silverstone, and Honda was having to explain why its technical director - a man whose contribution to the team should not be underestimated - had opted for gardening leave, the Japanese team threatened to protest its German rivals should they prove more competitive. Say what?
At 16:12 on Sunday, less than two hours before the Canadian Grand Prix, Pitpass received an e-mail from the FIA advising us of the 2006 FIA-AMD survey. Our immediate response was 'never mind the survey, what is happening regarding the flexi-wing saga?'. We have, as yet, received no response.
The FIA-AMD survey is intended to garner the opinion of race fans, much as it did in 2005. At that time, fans voted Spa Francorchamps as one of their favourite circuits, just a few months later it was dropped from the calendar.
Looking around various forums and message boards, one cannot help but feel that race fans, despite the offer of shiny new laptop, are extremely cynical about the survey, its aims and its power to change. After all, at a time when the majority of the teams and manufacturers are struggling to be heard what chance do the great unwashed have?
No doubt most sensible race fans, when asked how F1 might be improved, will brush aside novelties such as phone downloads and podcasts, and opt for their series to remain the pinnacle of motorsport, and not to be dumbed down. Far less will they want to see it become a spec-series.
However, we have no doubt that race fans will also want to see an end to the political bullshit that F1 is so full of. We refer not only to the ongoing engine freeze saga but issues such as the flexi-wings saga, which looks set to continue throughout the summer, throwing a shadow over the sport.
Therefore, we ask the FIA to act on this issue once and for all, there are no grey areas, wings are either legal or they are not. If they are illegal then say so and act accordingly, if they're not say so and let's put this farce to bed.
Unless the sport's governing body is seen to take action, this sorry saga, with the aid of the sensationalist media will continue, and contrary to what some might believe, this is not good for the sport.
The FIA is Formula One's governing body, please can it be seen to do precisely that, govern, rather than allowing this pathetic saga to drag on and on.
Chris Balfe
Editor