10 Biggest Formula One Controversies
8. 2005 United States Grand Prix: The 6 Car Race
Back in 2005, there were two tyre suppliers in Formula One: Bridgestone and Michelin. Bridgestone only supplied reigning champions Ferrari, in addition to Jordan and Minardi, whilst Michelin supplied the remaining seven teams. Due to the recent success of Ferrari, the FIA introduced a new rule which banned in-race tyre changes except if there was a safety concern due to wear (as seen in Kimi Räikkönen's recent tyre failure at the Nürburgring).
When the teams got to Indianapolis for the 2005 US Grand Prix, practice saw a few crashes for the Toyota team from tyre failures. This was partly due to the banked turn at Turn 13 leaving unique loads which Michelin lacked data to account for. Bridgestone was able to account for these loads as they had a sister brand in Firestone which operated in the US for Indycar.
After the accidents to the Toyotas, Michelin were not able to guarantee the safety of the rest of the teams that they are supplying for the length of the race. As such, the teams were forced to return to the pits and withdraw their cars. The FIA found the seven teams guilty of breaching several regulations in the FIA code but this was eventually dropped when it was pointed out that they would be criminally liable for letting their drivers race.
As for the race result? Ferrari won their only race of the season in a 1-2 finish whilst Tiago Monteiro finished in 3rd for his only career podium.