F1 fans in the United States will have been devastated (once again) yesterday, to learn that their country is missing from the 2009 calendar.

Having been dropped in 2008, there remained hope that a deal might be done whereby the race might return to Indianapolis, or any one of several tracks Americans feel could host such an event.

Reacting to the news that the USA is to miss out once again, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Joie Chitwood told the Indianapolis Star: "I still think there's a home for F1 in the U.S., but it's getting the right partner to activate and promote it. That's a vital component."

However, he remained positive for the future.

"The door remains open for the future," he added. "There continues to be dialogue."

While Chitwood remains positive, American race fans don't. As ever, the core issue is money, with Bernie Ecclestone and IMS boss Tony George appearing to play hardball, while fans look on helplessly.

It remains an anomaly of F1 that while the powers that be fall over themselves to bring more and more 'obscure' (but wealthy) nations on board, the home of the motor car, and one of the most sports crazy nations on earth is left out in the cold. No wonder race fans in the United States feel let down and used by F1.