October ‘05 Return to Indy for F1?
While this is an interesting proposal by the seven F1 Michelin teams that boycotted the USGP, I wonder how many fans would show up. And of those that did how many would come armed with can, bottles and various other makeshift missiles to voice their displeasure?
Formula One teams have offered to return to Indianapolis for a non-championship race at the end of this season to make amends for the United States Grand Prix farce.
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But the seven teams have, through Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, made an offer to Indianapolis chief Tony George to return to the track for a race on October 23. McLaren boss Ron Dennis confirmed the suggestion had been made and revealed the decision on whether the idea will be pursued will be taken initially by George.Dennis said: “The teams at Indianapolis and post-Indianapolis put forward suggestions as to how we should address the issues at Indianapolis and one of those options was to go back to Indianapolis and race free of team costs.“
“The suggestion was seriously made. It is possible, the logistics are challenging but possible.
“It was made through Bernie to Indianapolis and it is up to them what they want.”
Question, did the 100,000 plus fans at Indy show up free of “team” costs? And just who will pay the team costs? The FIA has never shown any propensity towards being charitable for any reason. It appears Bernie has signed off on the plan, maybe he will fight off the moths, roaches and flys and open his own wallet and pay the team costs.
It’s a nice offer but their operating in some type of dream world if they think US fans will incur the financial burden to return to Indy for a non points paying race with another depleted field.
UPDATE: As I expected Tony George has told Bernie to pack sand with his “free race” idea. “Our position to [Formula One Management leader] Bernie [Ecclestone], who is our link to the F1 community, is that the sooner we can get the focus back on the real issues that affect all of us, the better off we’ll be,” George added.
F1 will be back in America next year, and it’ll be at Indy. TG has sunk too much cash into the F1 facilities build out to let it go elsewhere. It’s also 1/3 of his track income. You can bet TG will squeeze some serious franchise concessions from Bernie for the next contract beginning in ‘06.
You’re probably right George. The cost to upgrade the garage areas and the infield track was enormous and the only way to re-coup it is to continue F1 events.
With luck TG can extract a large sum of cash and Bernie’s left nut, assuming he has any, as payment.