USGP a 'success'.

The first United States Grand Prix for nine years has been heralded a success by those involved, with plaudits received from the organisers, drivers and fans alike.

After several events that proved to be less than appealing to the American public, and failed to showcase Formula One at its finest around tight street circuits, the circus returned to the US to race on a purpose-built road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend. The facility, which managed to incorporate part of the famous Brickyard banking in the 2.6mile track length, and spent approximately $50million on construction, sold its tickets at less than the norm for a grand prix in order to try and attract fans.

The moves paid off, with an estimated 250,000 people attending the event on race day alone, making the event an unqualified success in terms of attendance at least. All parties involved, however, knew the importance of putting on a show in order to ensure the spectators return next year, when it is expected tickets may cost a little more.

Michael Schumacher may have romped to victory after title rival Mika Hakkinen was forced into retirement, but the chasing pack put on a solid demonstration of close quarter dicing, with the one man the crowd would have recognised before the event - Jacques Villeneuve - heavily involved in the action.

"When this was my dream ten years ago, I thought maybe we would get 100,000 people here for this race," said an amazed circuit president Tony George. "I thought there was enough interest in F1 - and I think, now, it will continue to grow."