Bernie Ecclestone: "We could be in India soon instead of the United States"

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has threatened to take F1 race away from the United States if he cannot agree on a new deal with Indianapolis.

It is not vital to Formula One to be in the United States," the 76-year-old told Britain's Daily Express newspaper, three days ahead of this season's US Grand Prix.

"There are bigger markets for us to be in other parts of the world. We could be in India soon instead of the United States. We don't have a lot of sponsors from the US, no American teams and only one driver," he added.

"I get along with (Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner) Tony George and I hope we can strike a deal, but we have offers from other places in the US too."

Despite Ecclestone's comments, similar to ones he made last year before agreeing a one-year extension with Indianapolis, the US is a key market for the car manufacturers who dominate the sport and own most of the teams.

"The automobile market in the USA is the biggest one for Mercedes-Benz outside Germany," said Mercedes motorsport vice-president Norbert Haug, whose company owns 40 per cent of championship leaders McLaren.

"For the BMW Group, the USA Grand Prix is of key importance in so far as the United States is our biggest market," said BMW Sauber boss Mario Theissen in a team preview of Sunday's race.

"We sell more cars there than in Germany and also have our biggest production sites outside Germany."

Tiger Hamilton!

Both are the best in their sports. Both are revered by millions around the world. Both are considered saviors of their respective sports. And both are black!

Tiger Woods and Lewis Hamilton have found fame and glory.Hamilton’s amazing start to his big-time career — six podium finishes in his first six races for McLaren — is making the entire sporting world sit up and take notice.

His incredible impact, including last Sunday’s first victory in Canada, has already earned him comparisons with Woods.
The American has almost single-handedly sent golf’s popularity soaring since he turned professional a decade ago.

As golf’s first black superstar, millions of youngsters from minority groups regard Woods as an inspiration — and he feels that Hamilton will swiftly have the same appeal.

Woods told me: “I’ve been following his progress pretty closely and I think it is great he won the Canadian Grand Prix after going close in all his previous races.

Crash Nightmares haunt Nick Heidfeld

Prior to the Indianapolis Grand Prix BMW Sauber F1 team driver Nick Heidfeld is getting ready to battle - not just his rivals - but some crash nightmares too.

Last year at the same venue Heidfeld had an accident when he ended up on the wrong side of a pile up started when Juan Pablo Montoya clipped McLaren team-mate Kimi Raikkonen and then Honda's Jenson Button, who then made contact with the BMW Sauber.

He was also faced with the horrifying crash of his friend and team mate Robret Kubica in the last race at Montreal. Kubica was lucky to escape with a mild concussion and a sprained ankle and will see an FIA doctor today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to determine whether he is fit enough to race on Sunday.

My memories of Indy are very varied," said Heidfeld. "In 2001 I managed a sixth-placed finish with Sauber, although I had lost my first, second and, most crucially, seventh gear. That was one of my best races.

"A less pleasant memory is the accident in 2006. We had done well in qualifying, but shortly after the start I was involved in a collision and turned over for the first and, hopefully, last time in my career.

"That is why I was worried when I saw Robert's car at the side and I was happy to hear that he was okay.

"It was difficult to get some information (during the race) and you just saw the car on the side with nothing left."

Indianapolis is familiar to Lewis Hamilton - through computer games!!

Lewis Hamilton is going to Indianapolis with an open mind just as he went to Canada, and hoping to repeat the good job by winning again. But a problem that he would face is that he has never raced at Indianapolis before, not even seen it. But obviously he is not worried.

Why?

The answer is that Lewis Hamilton is indeed familiar with the Indianapolis track - through computer games, it seems.

"I actually haven't been on the simulator [for Indianapolis], but I've seen it on computer games," Hamilton said. "I don't really know what to expect."

He added: "I've watched the previous races and onboard footage and looked at data.

"But I'll be going there with an open mind and having to do the same sort of job as I did here in Canada."

Formula One Race in India In 2009

After a lot of meetings and rumours the Indian Olympic Association has finally announced that it has come to an agreement with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone for conducting an F1 race in New Delhi from 2009. Ecclestone has for quite some time been engaged trying to widen the extent of influence for F1 races. At present Malaysia and Singapore hosts F1 races in Asia. India is one of the largest consumer markets in the world with a booming economy and an F1 race will no doubt be beneficial to both India and Ecclestone.

IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said the agreement was preliminary and conditional on having a venue approved.

The city does not currently have a racing track.

"We have received a letter in this regard from Bernie Ecclestone," said Kalmadi. "The IOA will be the promoter, the first event will be held in 2009."

He added: We are looking to identify suitable land for a world-class track."