Exactly twenty years ago, on June 19, 2005, a farce unfolded at America’s sacred racing temple in Indianapolis that was unparalleled. Of the twenty cars on the grid, fourteen drive into the pit lane during the warm-up lap. Their Michelin tires prove unable to withstand the conditions in the United States. The race between the remaining six drivers degenerates into a procession, which is ridden out under a torrent of whistles. What went wrong?
It all started during the second free practice. In one of the banked turns, Ralf Schumacher crashes hard into the wall. The German gets out and gives his Toyota a well-aimed kick, but the car is not to blame. It is the Michelin tire that gives way under the heavy load of the banked turn. Throughout the weekend, it becomes clear that the Michelin tires are unsafe for the characteristic banked turns of the Indianapolis circuit. The French tire manufacturer has to admit that none of its teams can safely race with the available tires.
Boos
A solution is not found. And so it happens that on Sunday, promptly at 1:00 PM local time, twenty cars depart for their warm-up lap, but the fourteen cars on Michelin tires – starting with polesitter Jarno Trulli – one by one drive into the pit lane. Only the six cars on Bridgestone tires appear at the start.
The thousands of Americans in the stands are understandably not amused. The booing is deafening as Michael Schumacher crosses the finish line first. Dutchman Christijan Albers, in his debut season with Minardi, capitalizes on the chaos. He finishes fifth at Indianapolis and scores his only points of the season.
