Despite disappearing form the Formula 1 calendar following the 2007 race, the US Grand Prix could be in line for a shock return to the schedule as early as next year – as long as it makes financial sense.
The event at Indianapolis was originally dropped after Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone failed to agree terms for a new deal, with MotoGP coming in to take F1's place. The race has been a fixture on the grand prix calendar since 2000, with the 2007 edition marking the second of Lewis Hamilton's back-to-back breakthrough victories in the top flight.
However, though he refused to confirm that the US Grand Prix would definitely return, George revealed he was in discussions with a number of sponsors with a view to securing a new title backer and getting Indy re-instated on the F1 calendar as early as possible.
“It really all depends on finding the right sponsor partners for Formula 1 to come back,” the 48-year-old explained, speaking to Indianapolis radio station, 1070 The Fan Radio. “We need to improve the financial performance of the event in order to justify bringing it back, and we won't do that without sponsorship.
“We're talking to some folks that may have interest, and that could happen as early as 2009 if we can go to Bernie with a proposal.”
Observers, however, remain divided over the likelihood of a US Grand Prix comeback, with some pointing to the event's loyal supporters and others the precarious nature of those races that receive no governmental aid.
“The F1 fan base in America grew without much help in the form of domestic drivers, teams, events or coverage of American participation when it was there to be enjoyed,” underlined SPEED TV host Bob Varsha. “I don't see the fans turning away as long as the sport is kept accessible via SPEED.
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The event at Indianapolis was originally dropped after Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone failed to agree terms for a new deal, with MotoGP coming in to take F1's place. The race has been a fixture on the grand prix calendar since 2000, with the 2007 edition marking the second of Lewis Hamilton's back-to-back breakthrough victories in the top flight.
However, though he refused to confirm that the US Grand Prix would definitely return, George revealed he was in discussions with a number of sponsors with a view to securing a new title backer and getting Indy re-instated on the F1 calendar as early as possible.
“It really all depends on finding the right sponsor partners for Formula 1 to come back,” the 48-year-old explained, speaking to Indianapolis radio station, 1070 The Fan Radio. “We need to improve the financial performance of the event in order to justify bringing it back, and we won't do that without sponsorship.
“We're talking to some folks that may have interest, and that could happen as early as 2009 if we can go to Bernie with a proposal.”
Observers, however, remain divided over the likelihood of a US Grand Prix comeback, with some pointing to the event's loyal supporters and others the precarious nature of those races that receive no governmental aid.
“The F1 fan base in America grew without much help in the form of domestic drivers, teams, events or coverage of American participation when it was there to be enjoyed,” underlined SPEED TV host Bob Varsha. “I don't see the fans turning away as long as the sport is kept accessible via SPEED.
crash.net