I came across these comments from Bernie Eccelstone in a discussion about the 2011 season being expanded to 20 races.



Either they caught him at an awkward moment or his age is showing or perhaps it's just typical Bernie 'speak'. But what EXACTLY is he trying to say here? That the United States as a whole never really took to Formula 1 during the years the race was held at Indianapolis is a given. But it's well known that the race attracted in excess of 120,000 fans, every year it was here. Many venues would love to post these kind of numbers. The fans who showed up were generally enthusiastic and knowledgeable and I find his comments a bit insulting.

I just find it somewhat amusing, thinking about what could only be a hapless discussion between Eccelstone and the city of Las Vegas or New York. Having lived much of my life in the NY area, I can tell you first hand, for a very international city, it's very much a home-grown, stick and ball sports town. There is no way there ever would have been an F1 race through the streets of NY, as much as I would love to see it. And under the current recession, where many larger cities in the US are operating under a severe budget crisis, paying a sanctioning fee is out of the question. There'd be a revolt.

I have this vision of Bernie mentioning the words, "Great Deal" and "$20 million" to NY's planning and resources board, and them countering with $50 million--neither side quite realizing who's paying who. You could almost make a Python like skit with that scene.

As I always suspected, if the US Grand Prix returns (2012 maybe), it will be back at Indy. There is just no other FIA sanctioned track, near a major city, capable of holding 100,000+ fans. From Bernie's comments, he's obviously resigned himself to this face now too. And he seems thrilled about it.

At this point I think Indianapolis is almost as unlikely as New York. With Tony Georgia forced out, his sisters and the next generation wanting more money out of the place and less spent subsidizing a race for someone who constantly slags them in the press, I can't see it happening. I do know that Bernie & Co. were told two years ago that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway would be happy to rent the place to him, and he can try to figure out how to make a profit. That discussion apparently didn't go far.

Las Vegas might work as long as F1 is willing to race "out back" somewhere -- the Strip is not going to be closed down, making it difficult or impossible for gamblers to get into the casinos. (They'd rather promote a good prize fight: doesn't take much space and draws the "whales" -- big-money gamblers.)

New York? You're right -- a Monty Python skit. And then the unions will get involved.

With Bernie's financial demands it is utterly impossible for a track to make a profit, and I don't see any government in the U.S. right now writing a big check to underwrite a Formula One race (a check which basically goes straight to a hedge fund).

Sadly, it's too easy to be cynical about a U.S. race.

Cynic

Yeah but what would be the point to hold a race in Vegas that wasn't on the strip? I don't think Bernie would agree to it as it would defeat the whole purpose. And no, I can't the city agreeing to close the strip either.

So long as FOM is willing to lower the sanctioning fee and the IMS finds a good, title sponsor, I could imagine the race returning in 2012. But it's a big question mark.