Will F1 Return to Indianapolis?

[BobHWS]

Some say yes, some say no, some say maybe.

F1 considers return to Indianapolis for US grand prix
Guardian
March 14, 2010

Indianapolis is still a logical venue for a US Formula One grand prix and a return is on the cards, according to the sport's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.

"It is [a possibility]," Ecclestone said. "It's only the fact that it's all the wrong crowd and the wrong people ... nothing worked there really, we'd have to have a big change round. But we'd like to get back there."

What the heck does Bernie mean by "...all the wrong crowd and the wrong people." Perhaps he would prefer the "crowd" that attended last year's Turkish GP?

Speedway, F1 discussing race's return to Indianapolis
Indianapolis Business Journal
March 15, 2010

Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials confirmed Monday morning that they want to host a Formula One race again and that they are in discussions to bring the series back to the city.

IMS’ position followed comments by F1 leader Bernie Ecclestone published in Sunday's Guardian newspaper in England. Ecclestone told the newspaper “we’d like to get back there,” referring to Indianapolis, possibly as soon as 2011.

No serious talks to bring Formula One back to Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Star
March 15, 2010

Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone suggested he would like the racing series to return to Indianapolis some day, but there aren't any serious talks to bring back the U.S. Grand Prix.

"In terms of negotiations, nothing is happening at this time," said Indianapolis Motor Speedway spokesman Eric Powell.

[JeremySmith]

Not anytime soon no...

"The wrong people and wrong crowd" I have no idea what Bernie means?

[Spritle]

With all the times Bernie put his fat foot in his big mouth while attending the USGP, I have to believe he is doing it again and really doesn't want a race there. Remember the digs against the US fan base, ("F1 doesn't need the US") or his stupid comments about Danica Patrick?

I have the feeling the "wrong people" are the ones in charge at IMS who won't pay his exorbitant prices to host a race. One of the reasons Tony George lost his job was because of how much he spent on the facilities to placate F1. Unfortunately for Bernie and fortunately for the taxpayers; the US, Indiana or Indianapolis governments aren't going to bankroll an F1 race.

The "wrong crowd" are probably the 100,000 unwashed, uncultured masses who only were paying $100 US or less to attend an F1 race at Indy. Bernie would rather have 30,000 cultured snobs paying $1,500 a ticket at some "classier" location like Manhattan, Vegas or Miami Beach; NONE of which are queuing up to build an F1 track.

I don't see it ever coming back to Indy until Bernie goes the way of Max. Many Indianapolis residents expressed delight in the local press when the F1 circus left town because of Bernie's arrogance.

Until then we'll have races in places where governments shower him with cash while the fans stay home. The good news is; as the grandstands grow ever more empty, the government cash will dry up and so will the stupid venues.

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by Spritle

With all the times Bernie put his fat foot in his big mouth while attending the USGP, I have to believe he is doing it again and really doesn't want a race there. Remember the digs against the US fan base, ("F1 doesn't need the US") or his stupid comments about Danica Patrick?

I have the feeling the "wrong people" are the ones in charge at IMS who won't pay his exorbitant prices to host a race. One of the reasons Tony George lost his job was because of how much he spent on the facilities to placate F1. Unfortunately for Bernie and fortunately for the taxpayers; the US, Indiana or Indianapolis governments aren't going to bankroll an F1 race.

The "wrong crowd" are probably the 100,000 unwashed, uncultured masses who only were paying $100 US or less to attend an F1 race at Indy. Bernie would rather have 30,000 cultured snobs paying $1,500 a ticket at some "classier" location like Manhattan, Vegas or Miami Beach; NONE of which are queuing up to build an F1 track.

I don't see it ever coming back to Indy until Bernie goes the way of Max. Many Indianapolis residents expressed delight in the local press when the F1 circus left town because of Bernie's arrogance.

Until then we'll have races in places where governments shower him with cash while the fans stay home. The good news is; as the grandstands grow ever more empty, the government cash will dry up and so will the stupid venues.

Vegas, classy?

[ECW Dan Selby]

Have to say, really not a massive fan of the Indianapolis track, but regardless, it'd be good to see F1 back in the US.

Some bizzare Bernie comments, but nothing too new/shocking.

Selby

[nea]

They need to go to Road America. Or Watkins Glen. Or Laguna Seca. Trouble is, they may need to butcher the tracks to do so.

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by nea

They need to go to Road America. Or Watkins Glen. Or Laguna Seca. Trouble is, they may need to butcher the tracks to do so.

I'd rather not have a GP.

[ECW Dan Selby]

Which may give me some ideas on the Tracks section of the forum...

I don't see why in alot of these places (geographical restrictions apply in some cases) ((what a song lyric that'd be!)) they don't just put this giant run off around the current layout. Ok, I know it's not ideal, but it's better than butchering the actual circuit.

I have this strange image of modern day F1 cars racing (ok, tongue in cheek) around the Nordschliefe full of tarmac run off areas!

Selby

[nea]

Are there enough Pikeys to supply that much tarmac though?

[ECW Dan Selby]

lmao You'd have to ask Mr Brundle

Selby

[Spaced Invader]

"It's only the fact that it's all the wrong crowd and the wrong people ..."

Could he be refferring to the people that where rude enough to show their displeasure when 6 cars started the 2005 Grand Prix? People that had paid to see a show not a farce...

[Purist]

I was in the stands between Oval Turns 1 and 2 for that one; I'm glad I missed the semi soccer riot over by start/finish.

I suppose the one up-side was that having only seix cars made it a lot easier to carry on a conversation during the race.

[F.O.F.]

Originally Posted by Bernie E

"It's only the fact that it's all the wrong crowd and the wrong people..."

What an offensive comment to the true motor racing fans that attended the races at indy! I'm one of the people who usually gives Bernie the benefit of the doubt, and I certainly don't hate him quite as enthusiastically as some people on here, but what a load of elitist horse$!&#.

I'd love to see a US GP but I think that any racetrack owner in The States would probably live a longer, happier life if they were never introduced to Mr. E.

[rustyfan]

Forget Indianapolis - Formula 1 should go to Barber Motorsports Park instead if they want to race in the US, and they wouldn't have to butcher the track either.

[duke_toaster]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Forget Indianapolis - Formula 1 should go to Barber Motorsports Park instead if they want to race in the US, and they wouldn't have to butcher the track either.

At ~3700m, and reasonably fast I don't think the laps would be long enough. Bring back Caesars Palace Car Park I say - a punishing physical challenge at least, with all that anticlockwise twistyness. Then again, have they built over it? They could always rebuild it elsewhere, if you have a big enough car park.

[dyewat808]

Originally Posted by rustyfan

Forget Indianapolis - Formula 1 should go to Barber Motorsports Park instead if they want to race in the US, and they wouldn't have to butcher the track either.

Indeed, forget Indianapolis, the road course wasn't exactly the best around.
However, the fans and attendance were better than you get at any of the new circuits.

The stands were full at Indianapolis, and like jab said, several times the numbers at other venues. That warrants going to America again. But of course Bernie doesn't like the fact that tickets there were actually affordable for common folk.

Like so many have already said, until he's gone, there's nothing. "Wrong type of people". Like others have said, what an elitist piece of horse****.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by dyewat808

Indeed, forget Indianapolis, the road course wasn't exactly the best around.
However, the fans and attendance were better than you get at any of the new circuits.

The stands were full at Indianapolis, and like jab said, several times the numbers at other venues. That warrants going to America again. But of course Bernie doesn't like the fact that tickets there were actually affordable for common folk.

Tony George got something right.

[MrTTraces]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Tony George got something right.

What Tony George thinks is right and what Bernie thinks is right are two different things sadly!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by MrTTraces

What Tony George thinks is right and what Bernie thinks is right are two different things sadly!

When it came to ticket pricing Tony George got it right. However the differences between Tony George and Bernie arose over the fees demanded by Bernie and we all know where that leads to, no GP.

[ECW Dan Selby]

It looks like a good track. Nice elevation changes, overtaking opportunity and selection of curves (albeit mainly hairpins).

Maybe not for F1 then.....

Selby

[RaceFreak]

Not while Bernie's in charge.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by RaceFreak

Not while Bernie's in charge.

Please, can you elaborate for the benefit of those who may not have read the entire thread or might not understand F1 politics?

[deletraz]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Please, can you elaborate for the benefit of those who may not have read the entire thread or might not understand F1 politics?

I don't mean to speak for RaceFreak, but I think Bernie creates a few stumbling blocks.

For one, he just doesn't seem to like the place much. He was always fairly disparaging of the track and city, and in fact refused to stay in Indianapolis -- he flew in and out of Chicago each day during race weekends, as I understand it.

Much more significantly, though, was his total inflexibility regarding the sanctioning fees. The speedway lost money on the event because the fee was so high, and Tony George has a policy of never accepting financial help from the government. If Bernie would have lowered the fee they would still be racing at Indy.

Since the recession Bernie seems to be far more flexible on fees -- Montreal's deal is far cheaper now, from what I understand. That might be a point in Indy's favor.

I think there's a bigger issue than Bernie, though, and it's the fact the Tony George isn't connected to the speedway anymore. He was very aggressive in bringing in new events and spending money for improvements and modifications, and that's a big part of why his sisters kicked him out. The new regime at Indy figures to be far more conservative in its deal-making, and very likely to want a nearly guaranteed profit from any future race. That's hard to envision.

One other note on Bernie -- I spoke to Peter Windsor about this last summer (before his exile), and he suggested that if Bernie says it's clear the next USGP will not be at Indy... then you should probably assume the next race will be at Indy. Always assume the opposite of any public statement from Bernie.

[jab]

F1 in Alabama?

[nea]

Might not be as unpopular as you think. After all, F1 engines are V8s.