Posted June 29, 2005, 9 a.m. EST

GREENVILLE, SC -- One week after the Indianapolis Grand Prix, Michelin, in what the company called a “sincere gesture” to attendants, released a statement outlining the action it is taking to make amends with the fans of Formula 1 Grand Prix racing.

First, the company has decided to contribute to the costs incurred by the spectators present at the circuit on Sunday, June 19, 2005, by offering to refund their tickets. Michelin was quick to point out that it is not at all legally bound to do this, but “deeply regrets that the public was deprived of an exciting race.” Secondly, it also offered to buy 20,000 tickets for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix to be given to spectators who were present at the Indianapolis race in 2005 to further promote Formula 1 interest in the United States.

The controversy started at the U.S. Grand Prix, where only six of the 20 scheduled cars in the field actually took part in the race. Michelin admitted that the tires it took to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway were “insufficiently adapted to the extreme conditions of Turn 13.” At the same time, the company said that the tires “did not have an intrinsic flaw.” The company also said it couldn't guarantee another tire failure wouldn't happen at the race unless certain changes were made at the Speedway to slow down the cars. But, the changes were never made. So all 14 drivers on Michelin tires took the warm-up lap and then pulled out of the race.

”We would also like to take this opportunity to underline the fact that it is unacceptable that our partner teams have been accused by the FIA of having boycotted the Indianapolis Grand Prix,” the statement read. “The reality is that together, Michelin and its partners, have done everything possible to assure that the race could take place in total safety.”

Michelin expressed that is was “extremely disappointed that the proposals made with all our teams were not accepted,” and stated that officials “had all the means necessary to preserve the interest of the race.”

”And yet, the sporting authority rejected the proposed solutions. Why? In our view this is totally incomprehensible and reflects a lack of respect for the spectators,” the statement said, “It is the spirit of respect for the spectators that brought us, with our partners, to propose solutions to allow the race to take place in total safety. It is this same spirit that leads us today to make this gesture.”

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