Sportsmanship or lack thereof

The F1 Grand Prix hit disaster yesterday.

14 of the 20 cars that were suppose to compete in the Indianapolis race track withdrew from the race before it started.

Why? Michelin failed to supply them with tires safe enough to endure the fast 175mph turn 13 of the track, and even their back-up tires failed to do so. Ralf Schmacher crashed his Toyota F1 car during practice at that turn. This came after FIA, the sport's governing body, warned Michelin not to sacrifice safety in favour of performance just weeks earlier.

Michelin and the teams supplied by them proposed a chicane and was supported by all teams but Farrari. However, FIA would not allow such a change to the course because of fairness.

Michelin and the 7 teams that own those 14 cars apologized to everyone about the withdrawal, saying it was for safety, however, some were hinting that Farrari and FIA lacked sportsmanship.

I think those people were wrong. They were the ones who lacked sportsmanship. They could surely slow down because of their own shortcomings at that turn and continued to race. It would be to their disadvantage, but it would be fair. Then again, it would be risky to rely on the drivers to restrain themselves in a race. However, blaming other teams who would not change the race for their own mistake was shameful of them.

It's unfortunate that the race had to end this way, but at least, it's fair and it's safe. Yes, it may not be good from an entertainment perspective, but F1 is a sport first. The worries of those who think F1 is lost in USA may be rightly so though, since many Americans would fail to see through the surface.