Tony George eyes new venue for US GP return

Tony George is interested in taking Formula One back to the United States.

We reported last weekend that the 50-year-old former boss of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was spotted in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix.

George met with F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone and also Zak Brown, founder and CEO of motor sport marketing firm Just Marketing who represents several high level sponsors according to the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ).

"Would Tony George love to broker a deal to bring back a US Grand Prix? Sure," said Brown.
IBJ said sources confirmed that George was in China to discuss F1's return to America and meet with potential sponsors for a race that would not necessary take place at Indianapolis.

Indeed, new Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Jeff Bulskus said George was not in China to represent the fabled Indy 500 venue, while Ecclestone has been pushing for a street race with the New York skyline.

Brown said: "Tony has a lot of contacts in motor sports, and he knows how to put on a US Grand Prix.

"I think if there's a role for Tony in trying to bring Formula One back to the US, he'd be willing to help. Tony and Bernie have a very good relationship, and Tony has a lot of interest in seeing F1 return to the US," he added.

Tony George, who still has an ownership stake in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, could not be reached for comment.

Source: Motorsport

Ecclestone eyes New York GP, Briatore return

Bernie Ecclestone on Thursday said he is pushing to organise a Grand Prix on the streets of New York.

The F1 chief executive told Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport that he hopes the race will be held for the first time in 2012
.
"I'm trying for 2012, opposite Manhattan in New Jersey with skyscrapers in the background," said the 79-year-old.

"Fifteen minutes from the centre of New York to the circuit. (It would be) a wonder."
The last US Grand Prix was held at Indianapolis in 2007.

Ecclestone also mentioned to the sports newspaper his friend and business partner Flavio Briatore, who recently ruled out returning to F1 despite overturning his FIA ban for involvement in the crash-gate scandal.

"I think he could take up a role in the promotion of Formula One," said the Briton.

Source: Motorsport

Indianapolis admits US GP return possible

A spokesman for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway admits it is possible formula one could return to the famous venue.

The US grand prix was held at Indianapolis between 2000 and 2007, after which organisers and Bernie Ecclestone were not able to amicably agree a new deal.

But as the 2010 season began in Bahrain last weekend, F1 chief executive Ecclestone said a return to Indianapolis is a possibility.

"Nothing worked there really, we'd have to have a big change round. But we'd like to get back there," he said, hinting that "the wrong people" had formerly been in charge of the event.

A spokesman for Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is no longer headed by Tony George, confirmed: "We continue to have dialogue with formula one, and we've long maintained we're interested in hosting their events.

"2011 would be a long shot," spokesman Chris Schwartz is quoted as saying by the Indianapolis Business Journal. "Obviously, there's a lot to consider."

He said he did not fully understand Ecclestone's comments, although it is true that the 79-year-old was critical of organisers' marketing efforts towards the end of the last contract.

Source: F1 Complete