CEO to shed light on US GP future

Indianapolis only decided to extend its deal to host the F1 event for another year after lengthy discussions last season - as the fall-out from the debacle of 2005 continued.

The circuit owner Tony George said that there was little point in committing to a lengthy deal because of the uncertainties left by the events of two years ago, when only six cars took part after Michelin suffered tyre problems.

"It seemed appropriate to see how things shake out and see what the lay of the land is," George told The Indianapolis Star last year. "There are too many unanswered questions to commit any longer than that. But our intention is to be long term."

Since then, Indianapolis chiefs have been quiet about their future intentions, but that all looks set to end next week when Indianapolis' President and CEO Joie Chitwood holds a lecture next Thursday.

He will be addressing a crowd at Marian College in Indianapolis for a talk entitled: "The future of Formula One racing in the Unites States."

A number of F1 teams are keen for there to be more than one race in the United States, but much depends on fully establishing Indianapolis as a venue.