George isn’t sure what the odds are for bringing F-1 back for an eighth year in 2007, but he is steadfast in his desire to do so.
George said he did not know if Sunday’s crowd was larger than the 2005 turnout, a race that was spoiled by 14 drivers pulling off the track over concerns related to their Michelin tires.
“From 9 o’clock on last year I was a little distracted,” said George, referring to discussions over how to salvage that event. “But from what I remember, this looks better.”
George isn’t sure when he will fly to London to meet with Ecclestone. George’s Indy Racing League schedule includes three races — in Nashville, Tenn., Milwaukee and Brooklyn, Mich. — later this month.
While Ecclestone had harsh criticism for the U.S. market regarding its interest and support of F-1, he considers George a friend, and has said he appreciates the effort George and his staff have made — financial and otherwise — to give grand prix racing a home in Indianapolis.
“I’m really quite surprised by the greeting I’ve had,” Ecclestone told The Associated Press on Sunday. “It’s really been quite pleasant. The fans have been very kind and very supportive. . . . Sometimes, Tony is quite hard to deal with, but I think we will be able to come to an agreement.”
Chitwood sounded like he expects Indianapolis to be on F-1’s schedule when the traditional announcement is made in the fall. A late June/early July date appears to be the most likely slot.
“We’re optimistic; we want to continue this,” he said. “It’s been a great relationship for seven years, and I expect it to be for another seven years.”
Bookmark to:
- Deal Still Not Done for F1 USGP at Indy
- Speed TV to Provide Extensive USGP Coverage
- Report: Michelin Almost Repeated Indy Disaster of Last Year
- Report: Tony George Signs 1 Year Deal for F1 to Return to Indy
- Schumacher, Alonso, Speed to Appear at USGP Pit Walkabout
That’s sort of good news, but to be honest Ecclestone can kiss my white booty! I was at the track all this weekend & he’s such an a**hole. Tony George worked his butt off & invested so much money into the track to make it Formula One worthy & Ecclestone just gives ALL OF US the finger whenever he wants to.
What are all you americans bothered about? You dont know what f1 is. f1 is better off elsewhere, look at all the new tracks in chinaaaaa, turkey etc why not just build a better one there?
WTF Steve you don’t have a clue. No one does racing like us. Look at the REAL indy, Nascar, both miles better than F1. All F1 does it #@%# us about. I was at the “race” last year, if u can call it that, it was an absolute joke. Eccelstone loves the British track, but has no time for us.
F1 n that
Tommo
F1 is pure racing, i do not consider Nascar to be racing, Indy/Cart surely. I was thrilled F1 came back this year, and hopefully next year too. With every racing venue there are the pros/cons, we deal with it. Indy is a great course, its not like others with elevations and stuff, but its technically challenging for the really slow corners and super fast straightways. I would love it if in the future a 2nd track was built that was incredibly challenging with elevations, drops, tight and long corners and a few places for passing. A track in Las Vegas, or perhaps close to NYC, Miami, or Southern California would be awesome. But for now it’s only one location. I think F1 did alot more this year to reach out to the fans, and public, that is what F1 is lacking, recognition, in other countries they dont’ have to be so public and everyone knows them, here in the states the people are used to being lazy and watching a 3 hour Nascar race everyday on the weekend are usually against international events. The worlds two most popular sports F1 Racing, and Football/Soccer. And yet both sports have limited appeal professionally in the USA. This will/is changing. Every sport, and group have at least one person who runs/owns it thats an asshole. Just look at your bosses at work, haha
i hope it does stay here in indy, even though micheal won, its still an awesome race to watch!!! most people don’t get f1 racing, its more about stradegy than just follow the leader racing!! i wished they started this here back in the 70’s or 80’s, when senna and others were racing!! if bernie got out of the way then it would become even greater serious, than it is now!!!
the bottom line there are about only 10 races in the world worth watching and three are here in indy!!! indy 500, us gran prix, brickyard 400, daytona 500 & 400, two talladega 500’s, monaco, 24 hours of lemans, and
the tenth you decide!!
Look, i was @ the race this weekend. it was pretty good besides lap 1, but Ecclestone is a [expletive]. in one of his articles he pretty much told America to [expletive]. i love F1 thogh, its all about racing not just the show like NASCAR. but this does sound favorable, id love to see more of F1 in the States. anyway i hope f1 comes back.
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AutoRacingSport.com
We all should be very thankful that we actually have F1 in the US in the first place because many countries would be begging to have a spot on the F1 Calendar. If F1 wasn’t at Indy, where would it go in the US? Maybe the only two or three tracks that would be viable for F1 are Watkins Glen, Road America and Sebring. Also if F1 was not held in the US, where would the round take place? Maybe it could stay in Europe, but Ecclestone is trying his hardest to have North America involved in at least 2 rounds (Canada and either the US or Mexican GPs). We better be glad that we have it here before it suddenly disappears off of the schedule after having events at Las Vegas, Detroit and Dallas.