Not Exactly a Vote of Confidence
Tony George, Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s CEO, has announced the return of the F1 Circus to America’s most famous speedway in 2007.
Tentative plans call for a mid-June date subject to approval by the FIA when the final schedule is announced later this fall. A plan to purchase tickets for the ‘07 event will be announced by the end of next week.
My first question was why a single year for a venue that has been home (and only U.S. home) to F1 for the last seven years? A partial answer is this is only an extension to the previous contract.
Tony George expressed his commitment to F1 for the “long term.” As in just about everything related to F1 the Concorde Agreement expires next year and he notes the instability that brings to the sport.
He is waiting to “see how things shake out and see what the lay of the land is.” “There are too many unanswered questions to commit any longer than that.
He may be in for a long wait. And any immediate answers won’t be forthcoming from Bernie Ecclestone. His “people” say he will not be unavailable for comment until next week’s Turkish Grand Prix.
Bernie Ecclestone, F1, FIA, Formula One, Sports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Tony George, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
Long term commitment my arse!!
I get the feeling Bernie does a USGP for obvious commercial reasons & to keep the auto makers & sponsors happy with some exposure in this huge market………………..but he would gladly chuck the whole thing in if given half a chance