The Most Controversial F1 Grand Prix In American History

A Day That Changed F1 Forever

On June 19, 2005, Formula One faced one of its most infamous days at the United States Grand Prix. Held at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the event quickly spiraled into chaos—and what should have been a thrilling race became a global embarrassment.

The Turn That Broke Everything

The root of the crisis was Turn 13, a high-speed banked corner. Michelin tires failed during practice, most notably causing a violent crash for Ralf Schumacher. Safety concerns made it clear the tires couldn’t last a full race.

Michelin’s Warning Came Too Late

Michelin warned that their tires were only safe for 10 laps at race speed. They even flew in replacements, but the new batch had the same problem. With no viable fix, they told their seven customer teams not to race.

A Chicane Was Proposed And Rejected

Michelin proposed adding a temporary chicane before Turn 13 to slow down the cars. The FIA refused, calling it unsafe and unfair to Bridgestone teams. Without changes, Michelin teams had no choice but to withdraw.

F1 Rules Tied The Teams’ Hands

F1 regulations in 2005 banned tire changes during races. This rule, coupled with Michelin’s faulty tires, created an impossible situation. Even speed restrictions were deemed insufficient to guarantee safety.

The FIA Holds Firm

The FIA, led by President Max Mosley, refused to compromise. They emphasized fairness for the Bridgestone teams and the importance of rule consistency. Teams were told to either race or withdraw.

Team Principals Met In Secret

Hours before the race, team principals from nine of the 10 teams met privately. Ferrari notably declined to attend. The group considered various options, including running a non-championship race.

Bernie Ecclestone Tried To Mediate

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone attempted to broker a deal. He spoke with both FIA officials and team leaders. Despite his efforts, the standoff remained unresolved.

Ferrari Refused The Chicane Plan

Ferrari's team principal Jean Todt was approached for approval of the chicane idea. He reportedly refused, stating it wasn’t his issue. Ferrari stood firm in support of the FIA’s stance.

Formation Lap Deception

All 20 cars took part in the formation lap, giving fans false hope. But as they approached Turn 13, 14 cars peeled into the pits. The crowd erupted in confusion and fury.

Fans Were Outraged

Spectators, many of whom traveled long distances, were furious. They threw bottles and debris onto the track. Some fans demanded refunds on the spot.

Schumacher Took An Easy Win

With only six cars on track, Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher had little competition. He won the race, marking his only victory of the 2005 season. His teammate Rubens Barrichello finished second.

Tiago Monteiro Made History

Jordan’s Tiago Monteiro finished third, which was his only career podium. As of 2025, it remains the only F1 podium for a Portuguese driver. Despite the race’s controversy, Monteiro celebrated enthusiastically.

The Slowest Podium Ever

All podium finishers were lapped in traffic in any normal race. Monteiro and Karthikeyan were a full lap down, while Minardi's drivers trailed by two laps. It was one of the least competitive podiums in F1 history.

Fans Left In Droves

By lap 10, a noticeable exodus had begun. Thousands of fans abandoned the grandstands in protest. Ticket offices were swarmed with demands for refunds.

Max Mosley Faced The Fallout

As head of the FIA, Max Mosley faced intense criticism. Many blamed his rigid stance for ruining the race. He later defended his actions as necessary to maintain the sport’s integrity.

Paul Stoddart Spoke Out

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart was vocal about the fiasco. He blasted the FIA and Ferrari for refusing compromises. He claimed the entire sport was at risk due to mismanagement.

Jordan Broke The Agreement

Jordan had originally agreed not to race. But just before the formation lap, they reversed their decision. This pressured Minardi to follow suit, fearing FIA penalties.

Michelin Faced Legal Pressure

Michelin’s decision to withdraw wasn’t just about racing. Indiana law could have held them criminally liable had their tires failed during the event. Safety was more than just a sporting concern.

The FIA Launched Investigations

Seven Michelin teams were summoned to a hearing in France. They were accused of damaging the sport and violating competition rules. The charges included failing to notify stewards of their intent to withdraw.

Legal Ramifications Were Avoided

In July 2005, the FIA dropped all charges against the teams. New evidence suggested that racing could have exposed them to legal risk, as US tort law would have held them liable for foreseeable harm. That legal threat loomed over every decision. In the end, the Michelin teams were exonerated of wrongdoing.

Refunds For Everyone

Michelin took responsibility for the debacle. They offered full refunds to every ticket holder. Additionally, they bought 20,000 tickets for the 2006 US Grand Prix to regain goodwill.

The Podium Ceremony Was Awkward

Ferrari accepted their trophies in silence. Monteiro, however, celebrated with genuine excitement. Many fans booed the ceremony as a mockery of true competition.

A Crisis Of Credibility

The 2005 US Grand Prix severely damaged F1’s reputation in America. Critics labeled it a “farce” and a “PR disaster”. The incident set the sport back years in the US market.

Some Called For Mosley’s Resignation

Amid public backlash, calls grew for Max Mosley to step down. He remained defiant, stating he had followed the rulebook. His Q&A press release attempted to control the narrative.

The Worst Grid In F1 History

The six-car starting grid was the smallest in modern F1. Not since the 1966 Indy 500 had such a low number of finishers occurred. It remains an embarrassing record to this day.

A Season-Changing Race

With most top drivers absent, Schumacher gained valuable points. He moved from fifth to third in the standings. Ferrari jumped to second in the Constructors' Championship.

The Final Blow To Michelin

The incident contributed to Michelin’s eventual exit from Formula One. They would leave the sport just one year later, in 2006. 

A Turning Point For Indianapolis

The controversy put the future of the US Grand Prix in jeopardy. Attendance never fully recovered in subsequent years. The race would eventually disappear from the F1 calendar in 2008.

Champ Car Welcomed F1 Refugees

One week later, the Champ Car Grand Prix of Cleveland offered free entry to anyone with a 2005 US GP ticket. It was a clear jab at F1’s mismanagement. Many fans took advantage of the offer.

A Win No One Wanted

Even Schumacher seemed subdued after the race. He admitted it wasn’t a proper victory. Fans, media, and drivers all knew it didn’t reflect his true skill.

Minardi Scored Their Last Points

For underdog team Minardi, the race marked a bittersweet milestone. It was the last time they ever scored F1 points. Both Albers and Friesacher recorded personal bests.

A Rare Podium For Jordan

Jordan’s third- and fourth-place finishes were a flash of glory. It was the team’s final podium before becoming Midland F1 in 2006. The result closed a historic chapter.

What Could Have Been

If a chicane had been installed, the race might have gone on. Fans would have seen a full field, and the controversy could’ve been avoided. Instead, the hardline decision left lasting scars.