Tell it to F1, FIA and Michelin, speedway chief Tony George says

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Tony George said complaints about the depleted lineup for the U.S. Grand Prix should be directed to Formula One, to the series’ governing body and to tiremaker Michelin.

All but three of the F-1 teams withdrew before the start of Sunday’s race because of safety concerns with the Michelin tires.

The only cars that raced were the Ferraris of winner Michael Schumacher and runner-up Rubens Barrichello, the Jordans of Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan and the Minardis of Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher.

“The Indianapolis Motor Speedway shares in the disappointment with the loyal fans of IMS and Formula One that we did not see the exciting race we all anticipated due to circumstances beyond our control,” George said in a statement.

“The FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile), Formula One and manufacturers that represent the cars on the starting grid made decisions on an individual basis to limit participation in today’s USGP,” he said.

“We suggest the fans who wish to make their feelings known, contact the following,” George said, listing the mailing addresses and Web sites for Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand, France, and the FIA in Paris, and the address of Formula One in London.