Indy says door still open for F1

Indianapolis Motor Speedway boss Joie Chitwood says the door remains open for Formula One to return to the track after the provisional 2009 calendar did not include a race there

Pablo Elizalde Jun 26, 2008, 8:46 AM

Indianapolis was absent from this year's calendar for the first time since 2000, but circuit bosses were still hoping to find a sponsor that would make the return viable next season.

The FIA, however, released the provisional calendar for next year on Wednesday and the IMS was not in it.

Chitwood insisted it was vital to find a sponsor if the race was to return to America, but he made it clear the future is still open.

"I still think there's a home for F1 in the US, but it's getting the right partner to activate and promote it," Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Chitwood told the Indy Star.

"That's a vital component."

Chitwood did not rule out a deal for next year, although he admitted it gets "tougher and tougher every day."

"The door remains open for the future," he said. "There continues to be dialogue."