US GP bosses call for fresh approach

Although this weekend's event is expected to attract the biggest F1 race-day crowd of the year, ticket sales are down on the prvevious two grands prix at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The speedway's vice-president of corporate communications, Fred Nation, told AUTOSPORT: "We think it is in the interests of F1 and its teams to build not only a following among fans, but also the sponsor base [in the US].

"If they are going to do that, they are going to have to be more aggressive in seeking that intention here in the US.

"Just as we Americans need to be open minded and appreciate the differences that F1 brings from other American motorsport events, so must F1 and the teams realise that the US is a far different marketplace from any other in which they operate."

The key factors IMS has identified include greater access for TV crews and the media, a year-round marketing drive in the US, and the formation of an American team with American drivers.

For more on this story, plus the definitive build up to this week's US GP, see this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, on sale from Thursday. It also includes a special report on the nations that are emerging as the favourites to hold GPs in the future.