“We have to be stable and sustainable”– Indianapolis Motorsport Speedway boss talks about the possibility of hosting F1, says slim chances.
The merger of Formula 1 and Indianapolis is a dream project for the two associations, but so far it has not been seen as financially viable, while every year barring 2020 F1 visits Austin to race in the United States Grand Prix, and next year, there will be a race in Miami too.
IMS boss Roger Penske said he has been in contact with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, but the likeliness of the event happening over there is slim.
“We haven’t talked seriously until now,” said Penske to the IndyStar. “I have spoken to Stefano Domenicali (the head of Formula 1), of course he would very much like to be able to race at Indianapolis. But clearly that’s only possible if it’s something stable and sustainable.”
F1 is giving him an offer which he wants to refuse
Penske then elaborated that why holding F1 at Indianapolis is going to be a fruitless opportunity for them until F1 makes reasonable cuts to make it happen.
“I don’t see F1 in Indianapolis in the near future,” says Penske “True, if there is an opportunity, it will be welcome. But, after some discussions with Domenicali, it all comes down to money. We have to be stable and sustainable.
“And to organise an F1 Grand Prix you have to invest. It’s not just about getting a sponsor, it’s about agreeing all the details that make up the package,” Penske said.
F1 indeed has a huge market in the United States, and often many of the F1 drivers also go on to make careers in IndyCar. That’s why F1 has shown interest in expanding in the US, but it remains to be seen whether F1 would make any adjustments for this lucrative tie-up.
