Formula One will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the United States Grand Prix after IMS chief Tony George confirmed a deal had been signed for at least 2007.
The future of Formula One at Indianapolis has been in doubt since the tyre fiasco in 2005 that prompted each Michelin-shod team to pull out of the race, shrinking the grid from twenty to six cars, an act that had the spectators furious.
Nonetheless, the sport tentatively returned to the circuit this season, with more than 100,000 people witnessing the action over the weekend, including a spectacular pile-up on the first corner.
It is this rallying of support that has prompted George to seek a new contract and although no formal deal has been announced in light of the governing body's decision to confirm that 2007 calendar later this year, George admitted to the
Indianapolis Star newspaper that there is a deal in place to return in 2007.
However, any extension beyond 2007 appears to rest with the forthcoming Concorde Agreement for 2008, something that is expected to shake-up the sport considerably.
As a result, George felt he wasn't able to commit beyond next year, even if he did admit that he would like Indianapolis to become the home of the United States Grand Prix for the foreseeable future.
"It seemed appropriate to see how things shake out and see what the lay of the land is," George said of F-1's instability. "There are too many unanswered questions to commit any longer than that, but our intention is to be long term with
F1."
The deal however could spell the end of hopes the United States Grand Prix would be moved to a possible street circuit intended to evoke memories past US GPs, although
Bernie Ecclestone has not ruled out the possibility for a second race to be held across the pond.
