Extra Race Up to Indy Organisers

The seven Michelin teams who withdrew from last month's U.S. Formula One Grand Prix have offered to race for free at Indianapolis after the Chinese Grand Prix.

Dennis told reporters at the French Grand Prix that the idea had been put to Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone to pass on to Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George.

"We can't make it happen," he said when asked how likely such a non-championship race was to go ahead. "We said we'd do it if that was something that would supplement the already generous package offered by Michelin.

"We can only try and demonstrate by our actions and our proposals our acceptance that, innocent we may be, we were party to the problem.

"The proposal was made through Bernie to Indianapolis. It's for them to decide whether they want to take up the option or not," said Dennis.

The season finishes in China on October 16, meaning that any race would be likely to be held either in late October or November when conditions are usually very cold.

The seven Michelin teams - Championship leaders Renault, McLaren, Williams, Toyota, Sauber, Red Bull and BAR - failed to start the June 19 race after Michelin advised that the tyres could not withstand the final banked corner.

Some 120,000 fans watched a six-car 'race' won by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher instead.

Michelin have already offered to refund the race day ticket holders and have said they will also pay for the first 20,000 tickets for next year's race.