American TV Stations Still Negotiating F1 Rights

With just over a week before the season opening Australian Grand Prix, American fans are still unsure about who will broadcast Formula One, as the TV stations are still negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone.

Speedvision, ESPN, and ABC are the strongest contestants to broadcast the sport in the 2001 season, and they are all in talks with Formula One Management, one of Bernie Ecclestone's companies.

However, the negotiations seem to be leading nowhere so far, and not even the TV stations know if they will have the rights or not in 2001.

"On the Formula One front, we're still negotiating with Bernie Ecclestone," Speedvision senior vice president and executive producer Bob Scanlon said. "We continue to be optimistic.

"We're still waiting to hear from Mr. Ecclestone," added Scanlon. "We feel we have a solid offer on the table and are proceeding as if Speedvision will be carrying Formula 1 in 2001.

"We are fully prepared - even at the 11th hour - to provide coverage."

An announcement is expected soon.