US press attacks Ecclestone, F1
Discussion
Bernie Ecclestone awoke to a hostile American media on Sunday morning after suggesting that Formula One can live without its annual visit to the States.
The F1 supremo, who earlier described the US Grand Prix as 'not vital', had declared at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday evening that his American hosts 'haven't done anything' to get behind his series, which in decades of history and eight years at its current venue has failed to break the US market.
Ecclestone, 76, was speaking after three meetings with Indy's Tony George this weekend failed to result in the extension of the expiring GP contract.
A writer for the local Post-Tribute responded: "Yeah, Bernie, you can go to Russia or India, but in what country does Ferrari, your biggest car owner, sell its most cars?
"That's America.
"
Even a writer for the usually supportive Indianapolis Star headlined that 'Arrogant F1 should hit road out of Indy'.
"I've got advice for (Tony) George. Learn how to say 'Bite me' in all the languages of today's F1 drivers.
"They are the Guests From Hell. And it's time for them to leave.
"Let me mention something to F1: Nobody outside of Indy cares about this race. And the truth is, very few inside of Indy care about this race."
Shame, as it was in fact a great race with a good crowd on hand...
Yes, this style of "negotiation" is rapidly f**king things up in the US. I'm surprised it's taken this long.
Shame, because all it would really take is a bit of concession, sight of some cash and some big promotion and the US GP could still be a big success - F1 just needs the right people on side. Let's face it: no one's better at promotion than the yanks - the public will support the race if big flashy lights and tv commercials tell them to.
Shame, because all it would really take is a bit of concession, sight of some cash and some big promotion and the US GP could still be a big success - F1 just needs the right people on side. Let's face it: no one's better at promotion than the yanks - the public will support the race if big flashy lights and tv commercials tell them to.
There was no F1 in the US from 1991 to 2000. In the intervening period F1 grew from strength to strength. Bernie's atitude is that F1 can survive quite happilly without a regular US GP. He may be correct - but with more mainstream car manufacturer's now involved in the sport, there is more expectation that a US GP should take place. In my opinion, I don't think that a US GP is now viable ANYWHERE in the US, except Indianapolis.
IIn 1990, 18,000 turned up for the US GP at Phoenix).
IIn 1990, 18,000 turned up for the US GP at Phoenix).
woof said:
Bernie Ecclestone awoke to a hostile American media on Sunday morning after suggesting that Formula One can live without its annual visit to the States.
The F1 supremo, who earlier described the US Grand Prix as 'not vital', had declared at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday evening that his American hosts 'haven't done anything' to get behind his series, which in decades of history and eight years at its current venue has failed to break the US market.
Ecclestone, 76, was speaking after three meetings with Indy's Tony George this weekend failed to result in the extension of the expiring GP contract.
A writer for the local Post-Tribute responded: "Yeah, Bernie, you can go to Russia or India, but in what country does Ferrari, your biggest car owner, sell its most cars?
"That's America.
"
Even a writer for the usually supportive Indianapolis Star headlined that 'Arrogant F1 should hit road out of Indy'.
"I've got advice for (Tony) George. Learn how to say 'Bite me' in all the languages of today's F1 drivers.
"They are the Guests From Hell. And it's time for them to leave.
"Let me mention something to F1: Nobody outside of Indy cares about this race. And the truth is, very few inside of Indy care about this race."
Shame, as it was in fact a great race with a good crowd on hand...
I thing the India US Grand Prix is just a crap race circuit full stop. There are allot of great race tracks out there which F1 could have gone to in America, one of them being Laguna Seca race track. But I think F1 dug there own grave when they would not race because of the tyre problems.The F1 supremo, who earlier described the US Grand Prix as 'not vital', had declared at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday evening that his American hosts 'haven't done anything' to get behind his series, which in decades of history and eight years at its current venue has failed to break the US market.
Ecclestone, 76, was speaking after three meetings with Indy's Tony George this weekend failed to result in the extension of the expiring GP contract.
A writer for the local Post-Tribute responded: "Yeah, Bernie, you can go to Russia or India, but in what country does Ferrari, your biggest car owner, sell its most cars?
"That's America.
"
Even a writer for the usually supportive Indianapolis Star headlined that 'Arrogant F1 should hit road out of Indy'.
"I've got advice for (Tony) George. Learn how to say 'Bite me' in all the languages of today's F1 drivers.
"They are the Guests From Hell. And it's time for them to leave.
"Let me mention something to F1: Nobody outside of Indy cares about this race. And the truth is, very few inside of Indy care about this race."
Shame, as it was in fact a great race with a good crowd on hand...
Eric Mc said:
There was no F1 in the US from 1991 to 2000. In the intervening period F1 grew from strength to strength. Bernie's atitude is that F1 can survive quite happilly without a regular US GP. He may be correct - but with more mainstream car manufacturer's now involved in the sport, there is more expectation that a US GP should take place. In my opinion, I don't think that a US GP is now viable ANYWHERE in the US, except Indianapolis.
IIn 1990, 18,000 turned up for the US GP at Phoenix).
Is this not a question of control for Bernie? now more and more mainstream manufacturers are competing is he worried that they may start to dictate terms?IIn 1990, 18,000 turned up for the US GP at Phoenix).
As usual Bernie wants something so uses threats to get what he wants. I'm sure he is playing on the inevitable increase in popularity this years event has generated and is asking for more money from Indianapolis for next years race, threatening to take it away if they don't meet his demands.
On a side note does anyone know a rough idea of the calendar for next year, from what I can recall we aren't going to Magny-Cours or Hockenheim and India isn't on the list until 2009. With no US-GP (unlikely) that's 3 places to fill.
On a side note does anyone know a rough idea of the calendar for next year, from what I can recall we aren't going to Magny-Cours or Hockenheim and India isn't on the list until 2009. With no US-GP (unlikely) that's 3 places to fill.
The Indy 500 draws in the neighborhood of 300,000 people--all around the track.
I don't know the attendance of the race yesterday (does anyone have an estimate?), but I thought the crowd was larger than 2006 which is very good considering there is absolutely no promotion of the race and it is blazing hot in the stands. IF I am correct the USGP is still one of the biggest draws in F1.
My gut says there will not be a race next year--the best time to get motivated to buy your seat for next year is when you have a captive audience of 100,000 plus people in the stands. They told us there would be a decsion by July 12--that isn't the best way to get people motivated to renew!
I don't know the attendance of the race yesterday (does anyone have an estimate?), but I thought the crowd was larger than 2006 which is very good considering there is absolutely no promotion of the race and it is blazing hot in the stands. IF I am correct the USGP is still one of the biggest draws in F1.
My gut says there will not be a race next year--the best time to get motivated to buy your seat for next year is when you have a captive audience of 100,000 plus people in the stands. They told us there would be a decsion by July 12--that isn't the best way to get people motivated to renew!
jpf said:
The Indy 500 draws in the neighborhood of 300,000 people--all around the track.
That's the reason it seats 300,000+ apart from the long running history, it's got very big stands all round the track. The F1 can only use those big stands around one corner and 75% of the start finish straight. All the other stands are smaller temporary stands around the infield. If someone was in the stands down the back straight of the Indy oval they wouldn't see much 
woof said:
A writer for the local Post-Tribute responded: "Yeah, Bernie, you can go to Russia or India, but in what country does Ferrari, your biggest car owner, sell its most cars?
"That's America.
"
Ferrari bigger than Toyota? "That's America.
"
Given that the popular race series in the USA run over 36 weeks and have 2 or 3 events where right turns are required, maybe Bernie should move the US GP to Bristol, TN. I rather like the idea of F1 on a 1/2 mile, 34 degree banked concrete oval
.FourWheelDrift said:
As usual Bernie wants something so uses threats to get what he wants. I'm sure he is playing on the inevitable increase in popularity this years event has generated and is asking for more money from Indianapolis for next years race, threatening to take it away if they don't meet his demands.
On a side note does anyone know a rough idea of the calendar for next year, from what I can recall we aren't going to Magny-Cours or Hockenheim and India isn't on the list until 2009. With no US-GP (unlikely) that's 3 places to fill.
Haven't they already announced a street race in Singapore for 2008? And isn't Spa back in 2008?On a side note does anyone know a rough idea of the calendar for next year, from what I can recall we aren't going to Magny-Cours or Hockenheim and India isn't on the list until 2009. With no US-GP (unlikely) that's 3 places to fill.
The problem with canceling Indy, is you also need to cancel or move Montreal. Otherwise, you fly the entire show from Monaco to Canada, then right back to Europe. Seems like a huge waste of cash. So you would need to move Montreal to the end of the season to link up with Brazil. Or add a Mexican GP (or something).
When all is said and done, I agree that this is Bernie bluster. The contract with Indy is ending (this year or next?). He is just trying to weasel some more money on the deal.
FourWheelDrift said:
As usual Bernie wants something so uses threats to get what he wants. I'm sure he is playing on the inevitable increase in popularity this years event has generated and is asking for more money from Indianapolis for next years race, threatening to take it away if they don't meet his demands.
I don't think Indy care - they don't need F1 to make money However, I'd be hugely surprised if there wasn't a F1 race in the US next
Laguna Seca (one of the best tracks in the world) would be amazing, but it's own by Mazda, who i can't see spending huge sums of money on it, to get it to F1 standards
skinny said:
could F1 cars get through the corkscrew without going 4x4? would be great to see tho, definitely!!
there was talk of a vegas GP a little while back too...
I don't think the track is wide enough at anypart of the circuit there was talk of a vegas GP a little while back too...
The corkscrew and following Rainey Corner are probably the most challenging corners in the world (i'm told that Rainey is far more difficult than the corkscrew) would love to race there one day !
MotoGP is there in July
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