Formula One in crisis mode after tyre failures

Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain waves during the drivers parade ahead of the British Grand Prix at the Silverstone Race circuit, central England, June 30, 2013. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis

SILVERSTONE, England (Reuters) - Formula One and tyre supplier Pirelli faced a full-on crisis on Sunday after the British Grand Prix came close to being stopped for safety reasons due to a spate of explosive high-speed blowouts.

The spectre of Indianapolis 2005, when only six Bridgestone-shod cars competed in a farce of a U.S. Grand Prix because all those equipped by tyre supplier Michelin could not compete safely, lurked in the background.