What’s the future of the Formula 1’s United States Grand Prix?
in MotorsportsFirst, Looking back at the 2007 United States Grand Prix at Indy this past weekend, I really didn’t watch to much of the multi-hours of coverage as I had in years past, but from what I did see leading up to race wasn’t bad. Multi-teams showed speed in practice including Alonso. However when it came to qualifying, the 22 year Lewis Hamilton continued to show just how good he really is with for the second straight race grabbing the pole over his teammate Alonso.
What a race despite the fact that there was really no lead changes throughout, behind the pole winner Lewis Hamilton and his teammate Alonso, there was a lot in the battles, this race was exciting to watch in terms of just what a Formula 1 race can process, the highlight’s wouldn’t come close to the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix, but nevertheless it was better than most races this season. I didn’t know that two formula 1 cars could go side by side throughout most of this race track, but they could and multi-times to boot. I have to say watching Lewis Hamilton battle his teammate Alonso for the top spot including the blocking of Alonso with 34 laps to go, I was impressed, he held off Alonso on each and every attempt leading wire to wire and winning his second straight race and adding to his points lead in the driver’s world championship.
Finally, the future of the USGP…
The Bottom Line after reading up on all of the talks between Bernie Ecclestone and Tony George including the deadline I read for the announcement for a long term deal coming hopefully no later than July 12th, the fact that there will be no changes to turns 1 and 2 of the track despite the fact that its really needed and hearing Bernie Ecclestone comments…
“It is not vital to Formula 1 to be in the United States,” Ecclestone told Britain’s Daily Express newspaper. “There are bigger markets for us to be in other parts of the world. We could be in India soon instead of the United States. We don’t have a lot of sponsors from the U.S., no American teams and only one driver,” he added. (From Racer Staff on speedtv.com)I really don’t see this one happening for Formula 1 at Indianpolis unless its another one year deal, I could be wrong if those comments above are just a tackic...
What about Formula One in the United States in general, there has been a lot of talk on this subject too, a change of venue could be somewhat more interesting, think about it, there are a couple of tracks that the USGP could be at including, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Laguna Sega, Long Beach and etc. of course the adding of the F1 extras and way more grandstand seating…
That’s something to consider, but one thing is for sure, the United States is one of the biggest markets that Formula 1 should be in, including its one or the biggest market for the car manufacturers to be in as well including BMW and Ferrari. If it happens, it happens, I would like to see a 2008 USGP somewhere including Indianapolis, but hold your breathe and in terms of those comments that are either just a tacklic or not, think again. The United States auto racing will go forward with or with out Formula 1. See Yeah!
3 Feedback/Comments:
I was at the 2007 USGP at Indy and from what I hear, this is a typical Bernie tactic. While he may not get the money from the track like he does some places, his economic model is too dependent on the astronomical ratings the UGSP gets in Europe (where it is seen in prime time) to lose it.
Johnny good point.
With that said, the bigger question now would becomes could the USGP change venues or should it stay at Indianapolis, keeping in mind would it be better fans too?
I can't see anywhere else. I know a few insiders who've said Laguna Seca or maybe the Streets of Miami course (the IRL and ALMS ran there this year) were candidates but neither of those could really handle the human traffic that Indy can. Right now it's all about IMS finding a title sponsor that can help them foot the bill and lower Bernie's price a little.
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