Ferrari finished first and second with Schumacher leading Barrichello home, the only problem for the Scuderia being when Schuey ran Rubens off the track, when re-joining the race from a pit stop.

So could anything have been done to prevent the USGP descending into farce? The FIA pointed out the options which were available to the Michelin teams within the rules - these were as follows: running more slowly in Turn 12/13, running a tyre not used in qualifying (which would attract a penalty) or repeatedly changing a tyre (subject to valid safety reasons).

The FIA's post-race statement (below) suggests that the Michelin teams were unwilling to accept any of these (legal) compromises which would disadvantage them, suggesting instead the installation of an 'illegal' chicane which would have disadvantaged the Bridgestone teams equally. The laughable notion of sporting interests aside, could the FIA have acted any other way and broken its own rules, in the most litigious country in the world?

Incidentally, the first law suits by disgruntled fans were filed on Monday.....

There has been much evidence recently of the pursuit of self-interest in F1, seemingly with no thought given to the greater good, but despite all the posturing I could not believe the problem would not be aleviated in time for the race and, judging by his reaction when interviewed on the grid, neither could Bernie. The problem certainly started with Michelin's failure to provide a suitable race tyre, but it seems to have have quickly turned into another stratagem in the battle to control F1 - there was certainly no evidence that the Michelin teams were willing to accept the authority of the FIA and it seems that not even Bernie was able to broker a deal.

There was also an attempt by some to make Ferrari the scapegoat again, for failing to agree to race with a chicane, but Jean Todt has said that Ferrari were never involved with any discussions and this has been confirmed by Sir Frank Williams.

Finally, as if things weren't bad enough already - it's set Our Nige off again!

The FIA's post-race statement:

"Formula One is a sporting contest. It must operate to clear rules. These cannot be negotiated each time a competitor brings the wrong equipment to a race.

At Indianapolis we were told by Michelin that their tyres would be unsafe unless their cars were slowed in the main corner. We understood and among other suggestions offered to help them by monitoring speeds and penalising any excess. However, the Michelin teams refused to agree unless the Bridgestone runners were slowed by the same amount. They suggested a chicane.

The Michelin teams seemed unable to understand that this would have been grossly unfair as well as contrary to the rules. The Bridgestone teams had suitable tyres. They did not need to slow down. The Michelin teams’ lack of speed through turn 13 would have been a direct result of inferior equipment, as often happens in Formula One. It must also be remembered that the FIA wrote to all of the teams and both tyre manufacturers on June 1, 2005, to emphasise that “tyres should be built to be reliable under all circumstances”.

A chicane would have forced all cars, including those with tyres optimised for high-speed, to run on a circuit whose characteristics had changed fundamentally – from ultra-high speed (because of turn 13) to very slow and twisting. It would also have involved changing the circuit without following any of the modern safety procedures, possibly with implications for the cars and their brakes. It is not difficult to imagine the reaction of an American court had there been an accident (whatever its cause) with the FIA having to admit it had failed to follow its own rules and safety procedures.

The reason for this debacle is clear. Each team is allowed to bring two types of tyre: one an on-the-limit potential race winner, the other a back-up which, although slower, is absolutely reliable. Apparently, none of the Michelin teams brought a back-up to Indianapolis. They subsequently announced they were flying in new tyres from France but then claimed that these too were unsafe.

What about the American fans? What about Formula One fans world-wide? Rather than boycott the race the Michelin teams should have agreed to run at reduced speed in turn 13. The rules would have been kept, they would have earned Championship points and the fans would have had a race. As it is, by refusing to run unless the FIA broke the rules and handicapped the Bridgestone runners, they have damaged themselves and the sport.

It should also be made clear that Formula One Management and Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as commercial entities, can have no role in the enforcement of the rules."

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Unfortunately déjà vu for Ralf..

...but fortunately, this time, he was not hurt

Team mate Trulli took Toyota's first pole

The full grid lines up for the warm-up lap...

...

The Michelin runners peel off into the pits. They completed the warm-up lap to avoid being sued by the organisers

The thinnest race in the history of Grand Prix racing

Ferrari's only problems on their way to the 1-2 were self-inflicted

Monteiro finished third for Jordanski

A marshal removes an object hurled onto the track by a disgruntled fan

Customer feedback

The Fazza boys look embarrassed, Monteiro enjoyed himself up there

The authorities were prepared for aggro

pics by Ferrari Media, Schlegelmilch, XPB, LAT, & Sutton