The crowd has been estimated at more than 100,000 by the
Indianapolis Star, and as high as 130,000 by
AP - not a sell out, but still larger than most if not all other grands prix this season. JOIE CHITWOOD, IMS president, said: "The size of the crowd today displays the great support
Formula One has here in the United States. We hope we can continue playing host to the fans and teams of the
F1 community."
The Speedway can hold upwards of 250,000. For the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 there is a different seating configuration due to infield road course grandstand seating and viewing mounds not possible for the oval configuration. There were empty seats this weekend and some grandstands which weren't even opened - but the crowd still was impressive for a F1 race anywhere. And the positive atmosphere was not lost on BERNIE ECCLESTONE, the drivers and teams, and the crowd. It was a totally different atmosphere this year compared to last year's 'race'.
Ecclestone and IMS CEO, TONY GEORGE, will be holding meetings this week to discuss the future of the USGP at IMS.
