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September 24: F1 returns to Indianapolis

Formula 1 returned to the United States of America after an absence of almost a decade and showed the sports-crazed millions just what they'd been missing out on.

About 220,000 packed into the impressive grandstands of Indianapolis Motor Speedway to witness Michael Schumacher take victory for Ferrari, as title rival Mika Hakkinen's hopes went up in smoke and flames, along with his Mercedes engine.

The event provided something a little different from the norm, with the banked final turn (Turn One of the speedway in reverse) being employed on the road course and the winning cars being lined up underneath the podium for their own champagne shower. After the race, F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone confirmed the race would become a permanent fixture on the calendar. The sport had a made an impact on the States, and it was certainly a mutual feeling.

The F1 world didn't quite shrug off all its pretentious ways, despite the refreshing atmosphere. The circuit's famous strip of bricks, which reminds all who race there of its 'Brickyard' roots, caused consternation in the paddock. After complaints from poleman Schumacher that he would suffer wheelspin on them, Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt suggested they should be sandblasted for extra grip, much to the horror of circuit staff. Eventually, a diplomatic incident was avoided and the starting grid was moved back a row.

The race itself was a good one - in F1 terms if not in three-lead-changes-per-lap, CART-style on a superspeedway. Schumacher and Hakkinen fought out an intriguing duel after early leader David Coulthard was pegged back by a stop-and-go for jumping the start. Schumacher passed the Scot at Turn One with barely an inch to spare, while brief sprinklings of rain served to keep the pit crews, and drivers, on their toes.

Once Hakkinen had retired, Schumacher had such a lead that he found time to spin off on to the grass, perform a spin-turn, and still cruise to victory. He said: "I just wasn't concentrating. I was cruising and I had such a big gap that the team asked me all the time to go slower and slower. So I did, but I just caught a bit of grass, which was still damp, and it spun me around. Afterwards, Ross Brawn mentioned to me that I should keep my concentration. I said, 'don't worry, I am awake now!"

His unintentional feat of showmanship might have been frowned upon by the Prancing Horse, but it was certainly appreciated by the fans. After all, putting on a good show was what this event was all about.



"Without him [Indy owner Tony George] we wouldn't be here. That's 100 per cent sure. We'll stay here as long as he wants us."

"I'm enjoying being here. It's a different feeling but the circuit is too twisty at the end of the pit straight. The banking is not challenging but it's fun and enjoyable."

"What Americans don't have an understanding of, and neither do I as an F1 fan, is how technical it is. I am really glad to see F1 in the US - it's the biggest form of motorsport in the world."

"In some sense I wish F1 was like NASCAR because the paranoia that goes around is not good for the sport."

"The facility is quite remarkable and I think it will serve as an example to a number of places throughout the world. It's really top class and it's been a wonderful surprise to see just how good they managed to build it."

"It's a wonderful facility. The environment, everything is the best."

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