Formula One’s Stop in U.S. Could Be Its Last

A year after American fans were infuriated by a botched Formula One race at the series’ U.S. stop, one might think the series would be bending over backward to make amends at this year’s race.

Well, yes and no.

Formula One is indeed trying to boost its goodwill among fans arriving for this year’s U.S. Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Spectators were allowed to walk the pits and get drivers’ autographs Thursday. Race-team members constantly talk about putting on a good show Sunday “after what happened last year.”

But Bernie Ecclestone, the British billionaire who serves as chief executive of the Europe-based series, seemed to undermine the effort by saying that when it comes to the United States, Formula One can take it or leave it.

“Why do we need to worry so much about America?” Ecclestone, 75, told The Times of London this week.

“It does not matter to Formula One if there is no grand prix in the U.S.,” he said, claiming that the series’ TV audience is higher in Malta than in the United States. “What do we get from America? Aggravation, that’s about all.”

His comments smacked of the arrogance that’s often ascribed to Formula One, a 19-event, road-racing series steeped in glamour.

Its lone U.S. race is on a 2.6-mile, 13-turn mostly road course that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway spent millions of dollars to build within its famous oval track, and Indy has been hosting the race since 2000.

But a year ago, 14 of the 20 drivers abruptly pulled off the track moments before the race started because they had safety concerns about their Michelin tires.

The 120,000 fans in attendance were incensed, and many threw debris on the track as seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher easily beat the five other drivers left on the course.

Most observers did not blame the debacle on Formula One itself, and even Ecclestone complained about “the stupidity” of the dispute. But many wondered why Ecclestone and other officials hadn’t used their power to avert the fiasco in the first place.

And this year, Ecclestone’s tough remarks about whether Formula One even needs America might be part of a negotiating ploy.

This is the final year of the Indianapolis Speedway’s F1 contract and Ecclestone’s comments might have been aimed at ensuring that he doesn’t have to discount the price of the next contract simply because of last year’s debacle.

Regardless, others in Formula One quickly countered Ecclestone, saying that the series must race in the United States.

“I strongly disagree with that statement and I think the entire paddock in Formula One would say exactly the same thing,” said Jackie Stewart, a three-time Formula One champion and a former racing commentator for U.S. TV.

Many of the automakers and other companies involved in the sport, such as Ferrari and BMW, “categorically need America” because it’s their biggest market, said Stewart, who now represents Royal Bank of Scotland, a sponsor of the Williams Formula One team.

Even Fernando Alonso -- the series’ reigning champion, and winner of six of the first nine races this year -- disagreed with Ecclestone.

The U.S. “is very important to me,” the 24-year-old Spaniard said Thursday. “You have everything here, all the sports, great champions.”

So perhaps a question just as relevant for Ecclestone is this: Does it matter to the United States and its racing fans whether there is a Formula One race in America?

There’s no doubt the series has a niche following among Americans who prize the technology of its race cars, the superlative skill of its drivers and the allure of its international venues.

But Americans mostly prefer NASCAR stock car racing, partly because it’s a homegrown form of racing and partly because the sport excels at promoting its drivers as celebrities.

But it also thrives because NASCAR typically provides close racing, whereas Formula One often puts on the equivalent of a high-speed parade. Passing is rare up front. Once Alonso or Schumacher takes the lead in the early laps, he’s seldom challenged.

Even before last year’s mess, attendance had been steadily slipping to roughly 120,000 at a track with a seating capacity that exceeds 200,000. Finally, perhaps Formula One might carry more weight in the United States if an American driver was winning races in the series.

Young Californian Scott Speed is in his rookie year, the first American in Formula One in 13 years. The series hopes he succeeds and thus generates more U.S. interest in the sport, but so far the Scuderia Toro Rosso driver hasn’t been competitive. Formula One awards points to the top eight finishers and Speed has yet to win a point.

Speed figures to improve, and there is speculation that 19-year-old Marco Andretti, who nearly won this year’s Indianapolis 500, might one day jump from the Indy Racing League to Formula One.

Even so, the United States still might not find Formula One compelling, and its racing fans might collectively shrug if Ecclestone doesn’t want to race here.

“Until you get Americans leading in a world-class sport, the American public is not interested,” Stewart said.

Last Laps

* NASCAR plans to make slight changes to its Chase for the Nextel Cup to add more drama to the season-ending format, but they won’t be announced until the end of the year, NASCAR Chairman Brian France said.

* Perris Auto Speedway and Irwindale Raceway will provide fireworks after their racing programs Saturday night.

Irwindale’s program includes the late-model series, in which Travis Thirkettle will try for his sixth consecutive victory. USAC/CRA sprint cars headline the Perris schedule, with Damion Gardner holding a 17-point lead over Cory Kruseman in that division.

* USAC Midget cars will be part of a five-class program Saturday at Ventura Raceway, the list of drivers including NHRA drag racer Frank Pedregon.