The 2005 United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis became Formula 1's most infamous debacle when only six cars started the race after Michelin tyre failures. The French manufacturer's left-rear tyres proved unsafe on the abrasive resurfaced track, forcing Michelin teams to withdraw during the parade lap. This left 150,000 spectators watching a six-car procession that mocked the sport's credibility.

The crisis began when Ralf Schumacher crashed during Friday practice after his left-rear Michelin tyre failed at Turn 13's high-speed banking. Despite Michelin's dominance throughout the season, the unique demands of Indianapolis exposed critical safety concerns. The FIA refused to install a chicane or slow the Michelin cars, insisting the tyre supplier bore responsibility. This rigid stance left teams in an impossible position.

The fallout was immediate and severe. Fans booed and threw debris onto the track in outrage. The seven Michelin teams faced World Motor Sport Council charges but were eventually cleared. Michelin reimbursed ticket holders and offered to buy 20,000 tickets for 2006, costing approximately $15 million. The incident damaged F1's already fragile American fanbase and influenced the sport's decision to adopt a single tyre supplier two years later, effectively ending the tyre war that had defined much of modern F1 competition.