Originally posted by kar
I think it was rather than letting them race, it was his insistence that he would race no matter what and refused to join the Michelin teams in parking it after the parade lap.
That and refusing to put his name to a jury-rigged circuit alternation.
He was right, but the suspicion at the time (and probably still is) that his stance was about self-interest, not driver safety interest.
Of course the first paragraph in my previous reply was ridiculous. I do that sometimes and then point out where I think the real issue is. MS could have done anything, and someone would have vilified him.
Indy 2005 is 3 years later mostly being remembered for the spat between Michelin (and most teams and even BE) vs. one Max Mosley. In the end the decisions made, were IMO correct, but how it played out, didn't make anyone involved look good. Wonder what Trulli or DC in the Ferrari would have done? It was a lose lose situation. One thing could have changed things though. Had the Michelin teams made good on the idea to hold an exhibition race after the season was over. I think McLaren suggested something like this. They could have earned a lot of good will there. But I rather not start speaking about Mclaren's gestures of good will.
But that's what the GPDA needs. Actions that earn them good will. Funding the medical care at test days is in the end a selfish pursuit. It showed their determination to have it, but did it earn good will? As sad as it is, if a driver gets killed in testing, there's not much public outcry. And it's amazing that even under race fans, Imola 94 is mainly about Senna. But Ratzenberger died as well, and Rubens Barrichello was also rather lucky to escape his shunt alive. It's sad, but the way how things are. They need the big names in the GPDA.
But the GPDA fails to gain the support from some of the biggest starts in F1. And what does Trulli do? Further alienate the GPDA from them. Not smart. He's just displaying frustration about being unable to be a good ambassador for their cause and win important people over, and then goes on saying it's only the money we need from them. Trulli mentioned something about those drivers not wanting to join being insane. Hmm..