US GP to be Held in June (Updated)

The United States Grand Prix will be moved from its traditional September slot to June next year, Indianapolis president Tony George has said.

"This is exciting news for race fans, for IMS and for the city of Indianapolis," said George. "This new summer date will be good for travelers, both US and international. If the FIA keeps its other traditional dates, this will set up a North American swing for F1."

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has told George that the race will be held on June 20 next season, pairing the event with the Canadian Grand Prix which takes place in the same month.

The IMS said the change is subject to the approval of the National Sporting Authority, the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States (ACCUS), the FIA Formula One Commission and the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

The move will see Indianapolis host the Indy 500 just three weeks before the Grand Prix.

"It was important for the Speedway to announce this date change as soon as it became official," George said. "The United States Grand Prix is an international sporting event that not only has a prominent place on the world motorsports calendar, it is major event here in the state of Indiana.

"This change could impact several events regionally, so we wanted to make it official immediately."