Circuit info
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Interesting facts
At the 2005 United States Grand Prix, all seven teams running Michelin tyres withdrew their cars after the formation lap because the tyres weren't considered safe under the load of the banked Turn 13; only six Bridgestone-shod cars from Ferrari, Jordan and Minardi ended up starting. Formula 1 used part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's oval together with a purpose-built infield section from 2000 to 2007, at the historic home of American IndyCar and NASCAR racing. The track's 'Brickyard' nickname dates back to 1909, when the original dirt-and-gravel surface proved so dangerous that it was repaved within the year with 3.2 million bricks; today just a single yard of that original brick remains exposed at the start-finish line, and winners still kneel down to kiss it. F1's 2000 return to Indianapolis, the first world championship race there since the Indy 500 counted toward the title from 1950 to 1960, was won by Michael Schumacher's Ferrari, who kept the car running through a 270-degree spin late in the race; a crowd of roughly 250,000 set a new Formula 1 attendance record. The 2005 fiasco had a clear warning sign a year earlier: in 2004, Ralf Schumacher's Williams suffered a tyre failure in that same banked Turn 13, slamming into the wall at a 90-degree angle; he suffered spinal fractures and a concussion. During the six-car 2005 race, fans booed and threw beer cans onto the track; the scandal and dwindling interest saw Formula 1 leave Indianapolis for good after 2007. You'll find it in Indianapolis, United States. On the calendar since 1950, this circuit has hosted 19 races, the latest in 2007. Johnnie Parsons took the inaugural win here in 1950. Lewis Hamilton won here most recently, in 2007. The most successful driver at this circuit is Michael Schumacher, with 5 wins. Ferrari is the dominant constructor at this circuit, with 6 wins. Rubens Barrichello set the fastest lap here, 1:10.399 (Ferrari, 2004).