Indianapolis is OUT from Formula One... Agree or Disagree???

Question

Bernie had said that there will not be a 2008 US Grand Prix.
What do you think?

Answer 1

Well, with some of the controversies, and complaints of Indy being a bland track, it was coming.

I would hope that the US gets a GP still, would like to see it at Watkins Glen at least.

Answer 2

Well, for starters, for 2008 de singapore grand prix was ALREADY on the schedule, contrary to what most of you think. The USGP didn't get replace by anybody but the british grand prix, who is always being there. As far as Tony and Bernie relations goes I don't think that had a lot to do with it. Tony even said it in his press conference that Bernie is a respectable business man. Money had a lot to do with it, but not all of it. The USGP doesn't have a sponsor name because no companies in the US want to sponsor it. The only TV network that gives it coverage is SPEED TV, and that is cable (and recently fox has been giving some attention to F1). I live in indpls and I cannot believe the city and the speedway let this go. F1 brought more than 100 million dollars to the economy here besides putting Indy in the world scene. No other track in the US has as much tradition than Indy, not even Laguna Seca or Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta and other tracks that may seem fit to hold an USGP. Desperadorr, as far as American drivers in F1, I can only say but they are always lame. The US has had 156 drivers in F1. Out of the 156 only 2! have been champions and both of them in the 1950s. Michael Andretti and others have always done half-hearted, and never with any conviction. I am really disappointed that the George Family let the USGP go from the second oldest track in the world.

Answer 3

Tony George (owner of Indy speedway) announced that the US GP will not at Indy next year but Bernie has said the manufacturers still want a US GP somewhere in the US. Not having any US GP will hurt the fans, the manufacturers and pretty much everyone.

I am American. I never liked the F1 course at Indy because it was built specifically for F1 when there a number of other more storied, more historical US road courses already in existence. Plus, they could always just do a temporary street circuit. The FIA races motorcycles at other tracks in the US that were designed for cars like laguna seca, or the daytona infield course, why they just don't race there is beyond me.

Tony George is known for being stubborn so I am not surprised that he couldn't work something out.

Answer 4

I think this is exactly why F1 is not popular in the U.S. I am not going to say U.S. teams and drivers put forth a half hearted effort, but F1 management is capricious and arbitrary and treas North American fans like step children, consequently, the market in North America, even Mexico, has not embraced F1 like the Continent and Asia.

The parties must have been close to a deal because there were advance ticket and travel packaged for sale as of yesterday for July 2008. They obviously couldn't meet in the middle and it is very sad for the sport and Indianapolis. Of course there will be no French GP because on Bernie's insanity next year, either. Maybe it's just time for regime change.

Answer 5

I agree with several stamentsw on here that there should definatly be a USGP for many years to come. Would be wonderful if they could come up with some sort of a revolving schedule for it between The Glen, Laguna, Mid-Ohio, Sears Point, and VIR.

I totaly disagree with the statement that Bernie pulled out of Indy because lack of crowds. From the way I understand it, Indy(USGP) was the largest crowd of the year for the past several years(with the exception the year the tire manufactures screwed the pooch).

Answer 6

Tony George said that it was the lack of US fans of F1 that was the cause for Indy to be removed, and he's right! There are very few people here in the states who watch F1 and he also said it was difficult to get people to promote the race nationwide. Regardless of the reason and Bernie comment saying that F1 doesn't need the US, guess what, F1 needs the US because of the manufactors over here. There will be a USGP wheither or not it's at Indy!

Answer 7

Definetly disappointing. As if it wasn't hard enough to find a kindred F1 fan in America before. I think it's a shame that Bernie puts the responsibility of making F1 popular in America solely on someone else, or at least it seems that way. As a good businessman, he too should be working on building a market here, instead of just packing up and leaving.

But I'll live, Montreal is closer to home for me than Indy.

Answer 8

Pretty crappy. Bernie sold out to go race in Korea, Saudi Arabia, China, etc. because they can pay more than Tony could. Indy is funded out of his pocket so no city, state, federal help. I know they don't sell out but 125k people in F1 is a big crowd. Bernie always talks about F1 not needing the US. Great way to build a fan base.

Its rumored that if the USGP comes back it will be in Vegas or New York.

Answer 9

U.S. racing fans are not used to the fixed finishes through team instructions that is still prevalent in F1, especially when the greatest race series in the world - NASCAR - has one major strategy --- just win, no matter who is in front of you.

George isn't used to a weasel like Bernie, who only looks out for his bank account and not to make a venue work.....as long as another nation would want the race date, that is.

The U.S. doesn't need F1 racing and vice-versa......it may mean that Scott Speed will be out of his ride and the door will close on American drivers gaining a seat in the series.

Answer 10

As with most international sports, people watch only if one of "their own" is in it, and is a star. Honestly, I was into biking (doing it, not watching) for years before I ever watched Tour de France. Once I heard of Livestrong and Lance Armstrong, I was hooked and started watch Le Tour. Once Armstrong retired, I watched a bit to see how Discovery would do, and then I moved on when it wasn't that interesting. Although now I am more into road biking (again, doing it, not watching) than ever before.

So the point is that as with most any country, interest and participation tend to have to be both culturally ingrained, and socially prominent. Neither of these factors really exist for Americans when it comes to F1. The most popular motor sports on American soil are Nascar, monster trucks, and drag/funny cars. None of these really lend themselves to the path toward F1, so the interest and money is not there for Americans to get into the sport.

Thus, Indi loses its F1 GP, and I can't say it's a major shock, but it's definitely a loss of opportunity for Americans, and for F1. Hopefully some other track in the US will buck up and take interest, and extend the olive branch to F1, and very soon.

Answer 11

It will be bad as the U.S is a huge market for manufacturers competing in F1.Bernie should realise it was a huge mistake to pull out the U.S grand prix.Maybe he will bring it back in 2009 at a different venue or back in Indy.

(If it will be at a different venue I hope it will be at Laguna Seca)