INDIANAPOLIS, June 20: World champion Michael Schumacher won an empty victory at the US Grand Prix on Sunday after only six cars started the race because of a fiasco over tyre safety. Seven of the 10 teams pulled out after the warm-up lap. Their demand for an extra chicane to slow down the cars because of concern over the durability of Michelin’s tyres was not met.

Germany’s Schumacher claimed his first win of the season ahead of Ferrari team mate Rubens Barrichello of Brazil, both on Bridgestone tyres. They were never troubled by the much slower Jordan and Minardi drivers who trailed in their wake.

Loud boos rang out from the stands at the Brickyard track, which were packed with an estimated 120,000 spectators, during and after the race. Many fans had left before the end.

Results: 1. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:29:43.181; 2. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Ferrari +00:01.522; 3. Tiago Monteiro (Portugal) Jordan 1 lap; 4. Narain Karthikeyan (India) Jordan 1 lap; 5. Christijan Albers (Netherlands) Minardi 2 laps; 6. Patrick Friesacher (Austria) Minardi 2 laps.