Indianapolis giving F1 one last chance?

It has been confirmed that the United States Grand Prix will return to Indianapolis for 2007 for mid-June date, but its single-year deal is likely to raise speculation that next year's race could be the last.

Although IMS Chief Executive Tony George revealed this week that the legendary Indiana circuit will host its eighth consecutive United States Grand Prix in 2007, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has since confirmed that June 17th will see Formula One return to the Brickyard, subject to FIA confirmation.

However, as was stated by George, the deal is only for a single year due to the instability of Formula One in regard to the Concorde Agreement set to come into force in 2008 and shake-up the sport.

Indeed, while IMS president, Joie Chitwood, claims he would like to see Indianapolis become the home of Formula One in the United States, he could not commit beyond then.

"It was important for us to reach an agreement quickly so we can begin notifying fans that Formula One will again be racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2007," he said. "Though this contract is for only one year, it is still our goal to make the Speedway the long time home of the United States Grand Prix.

"Our immediate focus, however, is making sure IMS sets the stage for creating a world-class sporting event. The first step in doing that is beginning the process to sell tickets. We will announce that process soon, making sure that our ticket account holders get the opportunity to renew their seats first."

Indeed, Bernie Ecclestone has repeatedly hinted that a possible street race, evoking memories of past US GPs, could be incorporated into the calendar in place of Indianapolis, particularly in light of the 2005 tyre fiasco that slashed the grid from twenty to six cars, suggesting F1 at Indianapolis would never recover.

Nonetheless, with the United States proving a large, if cautious, market for Formula One, should Indianapolis choose not to renew its deal with Ecclestone, a new home for the United States Grand Prix is still likely to be sought.