Andretti and Franchitti at Sear Point who was at fault ?

Question

I'm a little surprised to read today that Michael and Marco blame Franchitti.

Answer 1

Naturally the Andrettis are going to blame Franchitti.

For once I saw this part of an IRL race live and I have to say that some days later, I feel fault lies with several people.

Franchitti should have known Andretti was on cold tyres having just left the pits. He'd have had him at a safer place within the lap.

Andretti should have been warned that he was pulling out of the pits right into the fray and maybe could have given his teammate a little room.

The TEAM should have, IMHO, held Andretti for an extra second. He's not in the hunt for the championship, and the coming together contributed a great deal to his TEAMMATE losing the championship lead after having had it for a couple of months. Holding him would have let Franchitti through safely and put Andretti back on track to perhaps be a temporary diversion for Scott Dixon (not to block or anything, but at least be someoen Dixon would have to mind his time getting around, all the while with Franchitti escaping down the road on a clear track).

Ultimately it says a lot about the team and the fact that Michael Andretti cannot see past his nose! It's about Marco instead of about the team. What if in the end this costs Franchitti the title? A moronic move from a team owner who could have helped control the situation so his championship-leading driver could continue to hold that lead.

I've never been a big fan of Michael Andretti. I think he's a classic whiner and this is just another something he can whine about. Shame if Marco becomes too much like his dad and less like his Grandfather.

RP

Answer 2

I missed the race, but I heard about Michael blaming Franchitti for the wreck. Let's see. One driver leading the points battle for the championship on the race track at full speed and another one who hasn't done squat all year. OK, lets point fingers at the points leader. BAD move, Michael. If Franchitti sticks around for 2008, I will be really surprised. Marco should definitely have made room or backed off. Totally Marco's fault. Or maybe somebody should have been on the radio telling both drivers the situation. It will be tough for Franchitti to win the championship now. I like Michael Andretti, but he is COMPLETELY wrong on this one!! Nice way to treat your points leading driver. When Marco can actually learn how to run up front and win, then maybe he'll be able to have his opinion matter.

Answer 3

Marco was coming out of the pits, so he was slower and on cold tires. He also is not in the race for the championship, so it would have been better for him to give a little to Dario and let him pass. He could have trailed Dario and also helped increase the point lead over Dixon had the race finished in the order of Dario 1st and Marco second.

I know Marco is aggressive and wants the win but he should have played it smarter. I don't blame Dario because Dario was probably assuming that common sense as well as team orders would have dictated that he pass Marco.

I'm a bit disappointed that Michael immediately blamed Dario. I understand the whole father-son relationship but that needs to be put on the backburner. In some ways I wish that Marco was on a different team like Rahal's son (over in CC) or Foyt IV racing for Vision. It gives a little more objectivity to the situation.

Answer 4

Haha, this is where being on a team has its disadvantages. Because and ONLY because they are on the same team, I believe the accident was Marco's fault. Marco has no claim on the points lead. Dario is in a mad race to beat out Dixon. Marco, should have yeilded. Even if Marco won the race, the money doesn't even compare to what Dario could win if he won the championship. Being on a team, you have to take the good with the bad. If the roles would have been reversed, there is no doubt in my mind that Dario would have yeilded for Marco. AGR has definate team issues! If Marco was on another team, then I believe that it's every team for themselves. Where it's "nice" to get outta the way, I truly believe that it's a race and it's up to the driver to manuever around slower traffic.

Answer 5

You shouldn't be surprised to see Michael blame Dario -- if there has ever been a bigger son of a ***** in American open wheel racing than Michael Andretti, I have yet to meet him, and there are few people in the sport I haven't encountered at least once. *Nothing* Michael ever did was his fault -- it's no surprise to see him apply the same standard to Marco.

On the other hand, Dario is trying to win a championship and has hit nearly everything under the sun since July. And Kanaan's completely asinine and irresponsible driving at the end of that race was an embarassment.

The whole team is a disgrace.

Answer 6

it is the responsibility of the car making the pass to pass clean, i do believe this was just a racing incident. but if i was the state trooper on the scene of the accident. id have to fault Dario for the accident, that said i do think the spotter should have warned Marco that Dario was coming up fast and some arrangement should have been worked out between the two, had Dario showed patience he would have had him at the next corner,

Answer 7

It looked more like a "racing deal" than anything else. Dario was charging up the hill full speed and Marco was just getting up to speed out of the pits. Dario had the inside line, but Marco clearly had the position (he was ahead). If anyone's to blame, maybe Marco should take a little responsibility and admit that he could have used his mirror a little bit.

Answer 8

i don't think it was Marco's fault, he was defending the lead and Dario continued to push anyway. Dario should have been more patient, that way it could have been a 1,2 AGR finish. it was just a racing mistake, nobody is really to blame whether they're teammates or not.

Answer 9

Michael as an owner and the rest of that team have problems that they need to solve. This should not have happened to team mates. Someone dropped the ball and I doubt that it was Franchitti.
Sometimes this Father and Son thing gets in the way and clouds the whole picture!

Answer 10

I would say they both had a part in it. Dario could have been more pashent but Marco should have moved aside