Motorsport: US Back on Formula One Calendar

The last Formula One race that took place in the United States was at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana in 2007. Formula 1 racing had taken place on this track for 8 years. But when F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and the circuit's bosses failed to reach an agreement over new terms and conditions, the US was taken off the motorsport calendar. But good news is here. Full Throttle Productions has reached a deal with Ecclestone, and Formula One racing will now take place at Austin, Texas. The deal is for 10 years and this will be music to the ears of the American fans.

Bernie Ecclestone said, "For the first time in the history of F1 in the US, a world-class facility will host the event. This will be the first time a facility is constructed from the ground up specifically for F1 in the US." Tavo Hellmund, managing partner of Full Throttle Productions said, "We are extremely honored and proud to reach an agreement with the F1 commercial rights holder. We have been diligently working together for several years to bring this great event to Austin, the state of Texas and back to the United States." Williams team's chief executive Adam Parr said, "Well done, Bernie. He promised he'd find a great race for us in the States and this is excellent news. We are a global sport and not having a race in America has been a big hole in the calendar. Our partners and prospective partners will be thrilled. It's a giant step forwards." In 2009, Ecclestone had started talks with Monticello Motor Club (MMC) in New York to bring back racing to the United States, but they could not reach any agreement on the terms required.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana held Formula one races from 2000 to 2007. In 2005, the Michelin tire safety row blemished the race, as a result of which only 6 cars started the race. 7 teams went on to withdraw from the race just after the formation lap. In 2007, racing ended in Indianapolis, and Ecclestone said, "It's all the wrong crowd and the wrong people."

In other Formula One news, Mercedes has decided against appealing the penalty imposed on Michael Schumacher for his overtaking of Fernando Alonso during the safety car period at the Monaco Grand Prix (read: Formula 1: Red Bull Sizzle at Monaco).

Nevertheless, it will be great to have the US back on the Formula One calendar, which will ensure that the sport covers most of the globe as far as circuits are concerned.