After the highly controversial events of the 2005 race, The F1 circuits will return to Indy in 2006 with its tail between its legs. Michelin tyres were deemed to be unsafe on the banking by the company, after a number of tyre issues, notably Ralf Schumacher's tyre failure-on the banking. All 14 Michelin cars retired after the warm up lap, leaving six cars in the race, much to the American fans disgust.

The race takes place at the home of the legendary Indy 500, Indianapolis. Formula One cars only use around a third of the oval, whilst the main track is inside the famous oval. Nonetheless Indianapolis is the only track on the F1 calendar with a banked corner.

This track needs a compromise between low downforce and high speed, and medium downforce for the inner corners. This track has the longest 'flat out' section on the calendar and therefore good speed is essential.

The banked final corner is perhaps the most dangerous in Formula One as it is taken flat out and contains no run off areas. Ralf Schumacher suffered a horrifying accident here in 2004 and missed 6 races with broken vertebrae in his back. Rubens Barrichello has also crashed here, while Ralf ate concrete again last year, ultimately leading to the Michelin pull-out.

F1 cars have raced here since 2000 and although the USA doesn't have a huge audience for Formula One, especially after last year's events, Michelin's decision to re-imburse ticket holders, and give away 20,000 tickets for this years event, will at least ensure a crowd of sorts turns up this year.

As for the future? Well the contract is up at the end of the year...

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