Ross Brawn once explained why he didn’t have any ‘sympathy’ for F1 rivals at the ‘terrible’ 2005 US Grand Prix

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The 2005 United States Grand Prix will go down in history as one of the most controversial race weekends in F1 history. Ross Brawn’s Ferrari was one of just three teams to take part in the Grand Prix, and the former technical director at the Scuderia once explained why he didn’t have any sympathy for his rivals.

The FIA introduced major changes to the way tyres were utilised in races ahead of the 2005 F1 season, scrapping tyre changes during pit stops, much to the dismay of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.

Much of the seven-time world champion’s success came through benefiting from the previous regulations that were optimised for shorter and pacier stints.

With two tyre manufacturers in play during the 2005 season, the F1 grid turned up to the ninth round of the season at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway unaware that the Michelin tyres, which more than half of the grid used, were unable to safely fulfil the full race distance.

After several high-speed crashes due to tyre failures during practice, the continuation of that year’s edition of the United States Grand Prix was under threat as political warfare took over in the F1 paddock.

READ MORE: Five unforgettable US Grand Prix at COTA including Lewis Hamilton vs Nico Rosberg spat

Ross Brawn didn’t want to help F1 rivals due to the changes to tyre rules in 2005

Recalling the race weekend in his 2016 book Total Competition, in collaboration with Adam Parr, Brawn said, “We didn’t take any decision. We were in a period where we were feeling very aggrieved because of what had gone on with the tyre rules, feeling persecuted.

“So our mindset was not to have much sympathy when the perpetrators of the one-race tyre had a problem. It was terrible for Formula 1. I think we probably would have gone along with any solution that had been proposed.

“There was talk of putting in a chicane, and I don’t think quite honestly that we put up a massive objection to that.”

After all 20 cars lined up on the grid for the formation lap, only six returned to the grid in anticipation of the start of the race. The other 14 cars made their way back into the pit lane to a wave of boos and jeers from the infuriated fans.

The Ferraris swept the race, with Schumacher taking his first and only win of the year as Fernando Alonso dethroned him after five consecutive championships with the Prancing Horse.

Portuguese driver Tiago Monteiro also secured his first and only F1 podium at the farcical Grand Prix, finishing third behind Rubens Barrichello, despite being a lap down from the front-runners.

READ MORE: Which F1 drivers do well at US Grand Prix with Lewis Hamilton successful at COTA

The 2005 United States Grand Prix is one of Christian Horner’s biggest regrets as an F1 team principal

In an interview before he was sacked from his team principal post at Red Bull, Christian Horner noted that one of his biggest regrets in F1 was the events of the race weekend at Indianapolis in 2005.

Having served as the leader of the team for over 400 races across a period of more than two decades, it is quite telling that the 51-year-old chose this particular moment as his biggest regret.

In his comments at the time about the saga, via Motorsport.com, Horner said, “Obviously, it was a very difficult decision to take.

“We acted on the advice of Michelin, who, as you can see, instructed all teams that the tyres were unsafe to race here this weekend without the introduction of a chicane prior to Turn 13.

“Unfortunately, we were unable, in the interest of safety for both our drivers, teams, and spectators, to start the race today. Obviously, we’ve come here to race.

“We are extremely embarrassed about the situation, especially for all the guys who have paid to come here this afternoon to watch the race. I can only apologise on our behalf, and I’m sure of all the teams that we haven’t put on the show that we wanted to this afternoon.” 

The race didn’t end up having any impact on the outcome of the drivers’ championship that year, with Alonso completing his reception of Schumacher’s torch by beating Kimi Raikkonen to the title by 21 points – two full race wins under the old points format.