On a black day for Formula One, Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher led a woeful six-car procession at Indianapolis following the Michelin-backed teams’ shock withdrawal from the US Grand Prix.

By Mike Fourie, News Ed.


On a black day for Formula One, Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher led a woeful six-car procession at Indianapolis following the Michelin-backed teams’ shock withdrawal from the US Grand Prix.


Toyota’s Jarno Trulli qualified on pole position for the US Grand Prix on Saturday, but on the following afternoon, the unsuspecting Indianapolis crowd witnessed 14 out of 20 F1 cars entering the pitlane at the end the pre-race formation lap. Only Bridgestone teams Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi filled their grid slots and the race got underway.


The events that were to shape Sunday’s race started on Friday night South African time. During a practice session, Ralf Schumacher crashed on the banking of the Brickyard’s oval when the sidewall of the left-rear Michelin tyre on his Toyota failed. The accident, which took place near the spot where the German had crashed and fractured several vertebrae a year ago, ruled him out of the grand prix.


The qualifying session took place under a cloud of uncertainty and on Sunday morning, team were advised by Michelin that none of the tyres that were available to them could be used unless the vehicle speed in turn 13 was reduced. Without that, Michelin did not consider the tyre to be safe to be used for the race.


After final data from Michelin became available on Sunday morning it became clear that the French manufacturer were not able to guarantee the safety of the drivers. Numerous discussions and meetings took place to find a safe solution to the problem and several options for the race to go ahead in a safe manner was explored.


At the time, the only practical solution was for a chicane to be installed prior to Turn 13 and nine of the teams (excluding Ferrari) were prepared to run under such conditions… even forgoing championship points or by allowing non-Michelin teams to take top positions on the grid, Michelin teams said in a statement.


Unfortunately all proposals were rejected by the FIA and the teams were obliged to follow Michelin's requirements not to race.


Meanwhlie, Schumacher's first victory of the season saw him earn 10 points in the world championship standings, to move to third place in the table on 34 points, behind leader Fernando Alonso and second placed Kimi Raikkonen. Rubens Barrichello took second, despite being shunted onto the grass by Schumacher after his 51st lap pit stop, to give Ferrari 18 championship points.


Jordan Toyota’s Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan and Minardi’s Christijan Albers and Patrick Friesacher finshed third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively. However, many fans did not stay to see the outcome of the race, choosing instead to leave early.


Missiles were thrown onto the circuit during the race, and the cars crossed the finishing line to shouts of derision from spectators. Many disgruntled fans held up signs demanding a refund… So, after the race, Indianapolis Motor Speedway chief executive Tony George gave them the addresses of Michelin, the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management.


While Jordan celebrated Monteiro's third place enthusiastically, after the race, Schumacher was very restrained in his reaction.


"It was a bit of a strange Grand Prix, it's not the right way to win my first race of the year, but to have one win out of 84 being like this isn't too bad," he said. "Obviously I would have wished to fight the race under normal circumstances.

Original article from Car