MICHELIN OFFER INDY REFUND

Tyre supplier Michelin have offered to refund the 120,000 fans who bought tickets for the farcical United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis. Michelin prompted a seven-team pull-out by advising that their tyres were unfit to race, prompting an angry reaction from fans who saw just six cars contest the grand prix. But, a day before the seven teams face a disciplinary hearing for their part in the fiasco, Michelin have answered Max Mosley's call to refund the fans present at Indianapolis. Mosley, president of world governing body the FIA, believes a refund would be the first step to repairing some of the damage done to Formula One's image in the US. Michelin have gone further by offering to buy 20,000 tickets for next year's race and distribute them free of charge as a sign of goodwill. A statement read: "One week after the Indianapolis Grand Prix, Michelin wishes to make a sincere gesture of goodwill towards the people present at the grand prix, a group whose passion for F1 is encouraging in the development of this sport in the United States. "Michelin deeply regrets that the public was deprived of an exciting race and therefore wishes to be the first, among the different groups involved in the Indianapolis race, to make a strong gesture towards the spectators." ...via