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The withdrawl of 7 teams from the USA F1 GP is a certainly milestone in the history of F1. The chain of events that led to the withdrawl really began when Ralf Schumacher crashed on Friday.

Voice of America:

Ralf Schumacher of Toyota was ruled medically ineligible for Sunday’s race after crashing heavily in practice Friday [due to the failure of his Michelin tyre]. The German driver suffered a serious concussion and two broken vertebrae [in an identical crash on the same corner] in last year’s race.

Tyre manufacturer Michelin had not brought a suitable lower performance backup tyre for the teams, which they are allowed and recommended to do by governing body. When last minute replacements did arrive and proved un-race worthy the teams (with the notable exception of Ferrari) asked for an extra chicane to slow the race down at the critical corner where Schumacher’s tyre failed. The FIA refused whilst all teams were not in agreement, so only six cars raced.

What the press said

Associated Press:

Any chance F-1 had of capturing the American audience was crippled.

The Sun:

It was not the scenario needed in a country, where the sport is desperate to be accepted, or in front of the largest European TV audience of the year because of it’s prime-time slot.

The Arizona Republic:

Formula One’s welcome - what there was of it - may have run out in this country after maybe the worst imaginable weekend for the sport at the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis.

What the officials said

Max Mosley, President FIA. Reported by PitPass.com:

The FIA offered [Michelin] options which would have allowed them to compete safely within the limitations of their tyres; for some reason they chose not to accept these options. As a result Formula One and motor sport fans throughout the World are the losers today.

Joie Chitwood, President, Indianapolis Speedway. Reported by The Indianapolis Star:

There is no commitment to bring F1 back next year. That will be reviewed in the coming days. We’re as much a victim of what transpired today as the fans are. Mr. Ecclestone is aware of our position and our unhappiness today.

Bernie Eccletone. CEO, Formula One Management Ltd. Reported by The Sun:

The future of Formula One and Michelin in the United States is not good.

Flavio Briatore, Renault. Reported by Fox Sports:

We want to be big here, we want the Americans to love us. This is not going to help us with this market at all.

Paul Stoddart, Team Principal, Minardi. Reported by Fox Sports Fox Sports:

This was a sad day for Formula One. The damage is immeasurable. F1 has done some crazy things lately, but this one will have far reaching implications. All this talk about stupid regulations, all the interference in the sport, it needs to stop now. If it doesn’t stop, what we’re seeing here this afternoon is exactly where F1 is heading.

What the drivers said

David Coulthard, Driver, Red Bull Racing. Reported by The Scotsman:

It is tragic for the spectators and I have no words to describe how damaging this is for Formula 1. I am sick in the stomach to be part of this.

Jaques Villeneuve, Driver, Sauber Petronas. Reported by Motorsport.com.

Probably every car would have blown their tires, which is also dangerous for the crowd. So, it was a Michelin decision, and that was the only decision they could make.

On the FIA

David Coulthard, Driver, Red Bull Racing, in The Scotsman:

The responsibility for causing the problem is down to Michelin but it was down to the FIA to find a compromise. They had the ability to change the rules on safety grounds, they had the power to make this happen, but they did not do it.

Paul Stoddart, Team Principal, Minardi:

The cure was there and it was not taken up by the top person in Formula One who had the power to allow it to happen, in my opinion.

Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering, Renault. The Sports Network:

We couldn’t compromise safety and I’m afraid other people couldn’t make compromises that would have allowed us to race today. On behalf of everyone I apologize to the American public.

Michelin & The Tyers

Sam Michael, Technical Dirctor, Williams. The Deccan Herald and The Indianapolis Star

The tread comes away from the casing. It’s a bonding problem [that] was evident on several cars, usually after about 10 laps. The only solution is to have the chicane…if that happens, Michelin will approve the tyres to race. They will not give approval otherwise,”

Rubens Barrichello, Driver, Ferrari. The Indianapolis Star

[A Chicane] would have been more dangerous. That would have been silly.

David Coulthard, Driver Red Bull Racing in Sporting Life:

Michelin have screwed up. They should have been penalised in some way so that the Bridgestone runners could get the points they deserve and we could get a motor race and the sport can put a show on for the fans.

Jarno Trulli, Driver, Toyota (Pole Position)

We couldn’t avoid this situation — we were in danger and we knew it. It was very clear that Michelin runners couldn’t race today.

Christian Klien, Driver:

It would have worked if the chicane had been built. But it wasn’t done and if the tyres won’t hold up you can’t race.

Nick Heidfeld, Driver, Williams. Reported by This is London:

We would have liked to drive but if Michelin tell us it’s not safe, we have to follow their instructions. It was clearly their decision. From a driver’s side of things, we could do nothing.

Bernie Eccletone. Reported by The Deccan Herald:

You can’t tell people to do something when their tyre company said you can’t race on those tyres.