No F1 at Indy in 2008; Bernie & Tony Can't Agree But Leave Door Open For Future
Here's the formal word from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway:
INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, July 12, 2007 – The United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will not be on the 2008 Formula One schedule after eight consecutive annual events since 2000.
After recent meetings, Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George and Formula One Management Ltd. CEO Bernie Ecclestone mutually agreed to not schedule Formula One racing in 2008 at Indianapolis.
“After several discussions, Bernie Ecclestone and I were unable to agree how to keep Formula One in Indianapolis for the near term,” George said. “However, we have agreed to leave the door open for a potential future date.
“It has been a pleasure having the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I hope that as we approach our Centennial Era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity might present itself that would allow its return.”
The 2007 event was June 17 and was won by British rookie Lewis Hamilton. At the time, George and Ecclestone agreed to a mid-July deadline for a decision about future events.
After recent meetings, Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George and Formula One Management Ltd. CEO Bernie Ecclestone mutually agreed to not schedule Formula One racing in 2008 at Indianapolis.
“After several discussions, Bernie Ecclestone and I were unable to agree how to keep Formula One in Indianapolis for the near term,” George said. “However, we have agreed to leave the door open for a potential future date.
“It has been a pleasure having the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I hope that as we approach our Centennial Era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity might present itself that would allow its return.”
The 2007 event was June 17 and was won by British rookie Lewis Hamilton. At the time, George and Ecclestone agreed to a mid-July deadline for a decision about future events.
So F1 fans will have to dust off the passports and go to Montreal to see their stars. Pity. The race didn't have the inaugural crowds of the 2000 event in the last few years...but some 125-thousand fans in the facility is as large a crowd, if not the largest, that that series draws. However, what passes for promotion with Formula One Management is nowhere near what is needed to promote a major racing event in the United States. Like it or not, the good old USA is still a very desirable market for auto makers (Mercedes, Ferrari, Toyota, Honda, BMW) and there is (even with the push to stifle) more technology involved with one of the Toro Rosso cars than any ten Nextel Cup teams combined. The fans who like F1 like different stuff than do the NASCAR and IRL fans. Indianapolis Motor Speedway management gets the picture on promotion, but their hands are tied by FOM. Ecclestone has said that F1 does not need a round in America. Does Phoenix in 1990 ring a bell? Ultimately, is it worth a short term gain, if the long term prospects to rebuild the Formula One brand are diminished by diverting money for promotion to high rights fees (a practice for which Mr. Ecclestone is noted)? And the talk of the City of Indianapolis ponying up some of the dollars Bernie wants is bogus, especially with that city needing to keep their cops on the street.
