USGP: Midland F1 Online race preview

By Huw Alban
June 30 2006

Difficult one to call this one. As ever as a fan of the team I am hopeful for a good result, but only if the two drivers can actually avoid hitting each other on the circuit!

In 2005 I didn't watch the USGP live. I videoed the TV coverage, and then after the kids were in bed, the dishes were done, and a couple a beers suitably chilled I sat down to watch Sundays events. I've got to admit that it was probably the best race build up of the year, simply because you really didn't have a clue about what was going to happen next.

A grin of entertainment turned to an open mouth of disbelief as all the Michelin shod cars took to the pit lane. That race - and I really did watch it all without using the fast forward button - was the most bizarre I've watched since I first started following the sport in 1997. Was I chuffed for Tiago at the end? You bet your ass I was! I was made up for the bloke!

He'd gone out there and raced his team mate and the two Minardis and he'd beaten them all. A lot of people openly criticised Tiago for celebrating on the podium, and why the hell shouldn't he? OK, it was only six cars, but it wasn't his fault that all the Michelin teams had pulled out. Despite the circumstances, Tiago worked for that place and deserved every moment of celebration.

2006 will be a different affair I fear. It is very unlikely that Michelin will make the same mistake again, and I'll bet that both tyre companies will have been working overtime to ensure that their tyres do not fail on the now famous banked turn 13.

After team's somewhat lack lustre performance in Canada I'm not expecting anything spectacular from Midland F1 this weekend. With only a week between the two American races it is unlikely that the team will have made any substantial performance gains with the M16. But then again, stranger things can and do happen. The team were expecting to struggle at Silverstone and yet they had their best qualifying session of the season so far there.

My only wish for this weekend is that the two race drivers actually avoid hitting each other on the race track. There is nothing more disheartening for a team fan to see than the two drivers squabbling over the same piece of tarmac. Guys, please drive like a team, and pool your strengths. Together you can both lift Midland F1 to new heights for the remainder of the season, but both of you completing the first lap needs to be achieved first.

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