Tony George Admits to Feeling 'Helpless'
Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George has admitted he feels 'helpless' after returning to the United States from Europe, where he met with Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone

George flew to Europe to meet with Ecclestone to discuss the future of the US Grand Prix after last weekend's fiasco at Indianapolis, where seven of the ten teams withdrew from the race right before the lights went off for the start.
George, who kept quiet since the event and refused to speak to the press, said yesterday that he was unsure whether an agreement could be made to compensate the fans that attended the event.
Formula One Sources indicated that an announcement could be made, as soon as Monday, that ticket holders for the 2005 race will get their money back, and/or will have free access to next year's Grand prix.
But George, attending the IRL race at Richmond, remained uncertain.
"I feel very helpless," he was quoted as saying by the IndyStar newspaper. "I don't know what's going on. I hope we can come up with something, but I don't know.
"There's a lot going on and a lot coming up in the next week when the teams go before the [FIA's World Motor Sport Council]. We'll have to see."
George said last Sunday's event left him feeling vulnerable - presumably to lawsuits from ticket holders - and he stated: "Everybody has maintained a position and to some extent I can understand their positions. But leaving us in the position we were left in made me feel very compromised."
Asked if he already has plans for next year's race, set to be the last US GP in Indianapolis under the existing contract, George said: "I'm formulating it."
Latest news
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further
Does Verstappen have any weaknesses left?
Having extended his Formula 1 points lead with victory in Canada, Max Verstappen has raised his game further following his 2021 title triumph. Even on the days where Red Bull appears to be second best to Ferrari, Verstappen is getting the most out of the car in each race. So, does he have any weaknesses that his title rivals can exploit?
How F1's future fuels can shape the automotive sector
In 2026, Formula 1 plans to make the switch to a fully sustainable fuel, as the greater automotive world considers its own alternative propulsion methods. Biogasoline and e-fuels both have merit as 'drop-in' fuels but, equally, both have their shortcomings...
The breakthrough behind Sainz’s best weekend of F1 2022 so far
OPINION: Carlos Sainz came close to winning in Monaco but needed that race’s specific circumstances for his shot at a maiden Formula 1 victory to appear. Last weekend in Canada, he led the line for Ferrari in Charles Leclerc’s absence from the front. And there’s a key reason why Sainz has turned his 2022 form around
Canadian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2022
Plenty of high scores but just a single perfect 10 from the first Montreal race in three years, as Max Verstappen fended off late pressure from Carlos Sainz. Here’s Autosport’s assessment on the Formula 1 drivers from the Canadian Grand Prix