My £0.02 on the problems surrounding Formula One in the United States
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by user Alex Holowczak
The United States Grand Prix appears to be the talk of ArmchairGM lately. Which is great for a change, but I think I can throw a little more light onto the issues surrounding F1 in the United States. Without meaning to sound arrogant, I think I can show things that those of you that just watched the race at Indy, which explain the true plight of the situation. From an outsider looking in.
The prominence of NASCAR
Bewilderingly, most of the US motorsport fan base is in NASCAR. It carries a lot of money, and carries the TV time, so it will always be popular. It is a religion in the South of the United States. Young US driving talent wants to get into NASCAR for the money. Why travel abroad when you can earn millions in your home nation? It's common sense for them. So no-one aspires to be an open wheel driver in the South of the United States.
Lack of American Driving Talent
There are no real names in the United States that can boost the support. You have no home drivers to go and support.
Scott Speed
The only US driver in Formula One, he is probably only still in it because of that. He has been poor for Torro Rosso, and hasn't done anything worthy of a move to a better team this season.
Marco Andretti
Driving in Indycars is a mixed blessing. You drive open wheel cars, but the standard is very poor. Andretti's grandfather, Mario, was the 1978 World Champion. His father, Michael, drove less successfully in Formula One in the late 80s and 90s. He is the big hope at 20, but to get into Formula One, you need to be dominant in Indycar racing.
Sam Hornish, Jr.
Another top US open wheel racer, but what does he bring to the table that Andretti doesn't? He has age against him, but experience for him. He isn't as good as he would need to be to drive in Formula One.
Danica Patrick
She isn't good enough either. It would be great to think she was, but at the moment, any team that hired Patrick to drive, would be a publicity stunt and no more. Like I say, you need to be dominant at Indycar level.
Where do you want to host the race?
There is no obvious place to host the United States Grand Prix.
Indianapolis (Infield)
Unpopular twisty section. Has the best facilities, and the best potential to appeal to the crowds. The banked corner is unique to Formula One. The lap is very short.
Laguna Seca
As a circuit, it's the best in North America. The Corkscrew is a world renowned corner. But the lap would need to be lengthened, and it is too dangerous for Formula One cars.
Road America
Ideal circuit for Formula One. Only problems are poor facilities, poor safety and no real overtaking places.
Watkins Glen
The former home of the race, F1 left because it was a death trap. Nothing's changed since.
Long Beach
It has other racing commitments, but is a good shout as a wildcard due to the changing attitude to street circuits.
New York Streets
We want more street circuits, apparently, so this is as outrageous as it could get. It would certainly pull the fans in.
All have problems, and none are ideal solutions.
Lack of Fan Base
The majority of the US audience don't care about F1. They care when there's a race in the United States, but after that, they don't care for the rest of the year. This is hugely stereotypical, but the average American has no knowledge of Formula One. A good slice of those at Indy on Sunday probably weren't American (i.e. were from South America and came up), or had no knowledge of the previous rounds of the year.
Also, there's a NASCAR race on the same day, so all the media focus (in the South) will be on that.
The requirements of modern F1
Bernie Ecclestone is a very controlling man. As you saw at Indy in 2005. You do it his way or not at all. Imola, Magny-Cours and Suzuka have all been scrapped for this reason. He will try to get a race in the States, but if he doesn't get what he wants, he won't hesitate to pull the plug.
Other countries care
Look at Belgium. It has never had a good racing star. Ever. Yet the race has one of the best facilities in the world at Spa Francorchamps, and it is always one of the most attended races of the season. Americans just aren't like that. They need to go and support someone, not just watch for the splendeur of the race.
Any thoughts?
