Indy "No Excuse" for Control Tyre Switch

Michelin's failure to bring a tyre to the event that was safe enough to race looks likely to see the French tyre manufacturer hauled up in front of the FIA to explain their actions, and has led to speculation that the events could be the spur to end a tyre war in the sport.

But several high-profile figures believe that the Indianapolis events could have been avoided and the debate over a single-tyre manufacturer in Formula One should not be linked with what happened last weekend.

Toyota boss John Howett hit back at suggestions that the affair will be the cue for the FIA to impose a single-tyre manufacturer rule.

"I don't think that's the real issue," he said. "There were several opportunities to find a compromise that would have been viable for all of us. The Michelin teams were willing to sacrifice grid positions and points to provide the spectators with a proper race."

Tyre supplier Bridgestone also claimed that it would be wrong for F1 to switch to a single tyre supplier.

"Basically we prefer competition," said Bridgestone Motorsport director Hiroshi Yasukawa.

McLaren technical director Adrian Newey also believed that the biggest issue about the Indy boycott was the failure of the FIA to agree to construct a chicane, rather than an inherent problem with tyre wars.

"I don't think I should be forecasting on that issue," he said when asked about the single tyre issue. "It was sad we couldn't race today - the chicane would have been the solution that would have allowed us to race."