PARIS, June 22: The head of Formula One’s world governing body said fans who turned up at the US Grand Prix should be reimbursed by Michelin after seven teams failed to race over fears their tyres might be dangerous.

But FIA president Max Mosley also defended the body’s decision not to change the circuit by installing a chicane, as requested by some teams on safety grounds.

Tyre manufacturer Michelin have rejected any blame for advising the seven Formula One teams to pull out of the US Grand Prix.

After Ralf Schumacher’s high-speed accident in Friday’s free practice in Indianapolis left the German driver so shaken he had to withdraw from the race.

FIA, however, would likely have penalised teams using high-performance short-life tyres and also refused for a chicane to be set up to slow the cars, though Mosley said the body had offered to set up a speed trap.

The seven teams, who failed to take part, face losing constructors’ world championship points or punitive fines when they appear before the FIA world motorsport council next Wednesday.

Williams, McLaren, Renault, Sauber, Toyota, BAR-Honda and Red Bull are facing charges of bringing the sport into disrepute.—Agencies