US F1 chief rejects race offer
Indianapolis chief Tony George has rejected an offer from Formula One teams to host a non-championship race in October.
Seven of Formula One’s 10 teams offered to return to Indianapolis free of charge to put on a race which tyre safety fears made impossible in the United States Grand Prix two weeks ago.
A date of October 23 was put forward and the proposal passed on to George by Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.
However, George, the chief executive of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has dismissed the suggestion.
“There will be no race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this fall,” George told The Indianapolis Star.
“Our position to Bernie, who is our link to the Formula One community, is that the sooner we can get the focus back on the real issues that affect all of us, the better off we’ll be.”
The seven Michelin-affiliated teams had examined the feasibility of holding a 20th race this season, with no championship points on offer.
A detailed study of the autumn weather in Indianapolis eased fears of rain and the teams were confident that the logistical problems of flying directly from Shanghai to the United States could be overcome if George wanted another race.
