08-Sep-08: Williams Move Development on to 2009
This is F1 Minute for the 8th September 2008.
Everyone is still talking about the Hamilton penalty controversy, but I thought it would be good to look at some of the stories that have slipped under the radar this weekend.
Frank Williams has admitted that the team are putting most of their resources into the 2009 development now, especially after another disappointing race result at Spa. He said: “We recognise that this year’s car is almost as developed as we can successfully do it, short of a major revamp of all the aerodynamics and next year’s car is the one where we pin our hopes.”
Also this weekend, Autosport.com reported that Bernie Ecclestone has been discussing with team principals the possibility of a return of the US Grand Prix. There are no details, but we know the teams are keen to see a return to the US, for the fans and for the marketplace. Whether it would return to Indianapolis, we don’t know yet. Would you like to see F1 return to Indy, or would another US circuit be better? Let me know what you think at F1 Minute.com.
Kev on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 22:16
If there is a return to the United States, then it should be held at Laguna Seca Raceway. The track has a long history, great surrounding area, is a classic course, and would allow West Coast race fans easier access to an F-1 event.
adam on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 02:43
First off, top notch site guys. You really put your heart and soul into this and it shows!
The problem with having another US event, among other things, is just the lack of a suitable track as a host. I’ve been to events in Montreal and the US (I was at Indy 2 x, once the inaugural year), and have been a long time follower of the series. There is no comparison between Montreal and Indy as a hose. I am not aware of a single track in the US that is really prepared to host on a world stage. The only track that comes to mind is Barber Motorsports Park but then you run into the same thing as Indy….it’s just not much of a city, which I think is a key element
Gman on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 04:02
Adam- I haven’t been to Indianapolis myself, but know many people who have, and they never have a problem with it. Indeed, the city will be hosting the Super Bowl in a few short years, and the NFL is VERY picky in terms of awarding the Super Bowl to cold-
weather cities.
Kev- Laguna Seca is a great course that would be very good to F1, but at the moment the track needs major modifications and renovations in order to bring it up to F1-spec. Could it be done? Sure, but someone needs to pay big bucks to make it work. That’s where Indy has the advantage- all the infrastructure is there and ready to go, and this will no doubt be a consideration when Bernie and FOM take another serious look over on our shores.
Any return to the U.S. for F1 would be fantastic, but hopefully the race will be held at a decent venue that won’t see it turn into an unpopular sideshow, as was the case the first time it visited Vegas. While F1 will never rival sports like NASCAR and the NFL for domination of the American sports landscape, it can indeed run a very successful GP here and gain millions of new fans, while making plenty of money in the process.
Greg on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 06:55
Being an Indiana native and having lived in Indianapolis for several years I defiantly have a positive biased opinion regarding Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but I honestly don’t think much of the road course that the formula cars use there… to me it’s kind of a lame after thought compared to the majority of the venues on the current world championship tour, but like everyone else I don’t know of another suitable U.S. host to replace it.
Christine on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 09:04
I don’t know much about Laguna Seca, but if Bernie giving the British GP to Donington is anything to go by, major modifications aren’t really a stopping point.
Perhaps Bernie could allow F1 to return to Indy, try and make amends for all that has gone before, and then look for a new circuit whilst keeping the US GP on the Canada.
The other question, of course, is which tracks will be pushed off the calendar to make way for it? There are a couple of new countries added to the 2010 rota, and the teams aren’t keen on going over 20 races…
Owen Roberts on Tue, 9th Sep 2008 10:40
I’m old enough o remember Watkins Glen a very nice circuit