IMS confirms no US GP in 2008
| By Jonathan Noble |
Thursday, July 12th 2007, 15:43 GMT |
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has confirmed that it will not hold the United States Grand Prix next year.
In a statement issued by the track on Thursday afternoon, it said that IMS chairman Tony George and F1 supreme Bernie Ecclestone had agreed not to schedule a race next year following recent meetings.
George said: "After several discussions, Bernie Ecclestone and I were unable to agree how to keep Formula One in Indianapolis for the near term. However, we have agreed to leave the door open for a potential future date.
"It has been a pleasure having the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis, and I hope that as we approach our Centennial Era at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an opportunity might present itself that would allow its return."
"We didn't reach an agreement... Let's see if we miss America," Ecclestone told Reuters.
Indianapolis first hosted the US GP in 2000, but it has endured a troubled relationship with F1.
In 2002 there was controversy when Michael Schumacher tried to engineer a staged-finish with teammate Rubens Barrichello, while in 2005 only six cars raced following tyre problems for the Michelin runners in practice.
Indianapolis will not be without a major world championship event next year, however, with the track having agreed to hold a MotoGP event.
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