23/06/2006
NEWS STORY
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A week ahead of the United States Grand Prix, and with the contract up for renewal, Bernie Ecclestone appears to have done a complete 180-degree turn, claiming that Formula One does not need the USA.
The man who gave us F1 in a car park (Las Vegas) and on the streets of Dallas, Phoenix, Detroit and Long Beach, such was his desire to crack the American market, is now trying to kid us that he is ready to turn his back on the United States.
Talking to Kevin Eason of The Times, just one week before F1 heads to the scene of one of the most outrageous, contemptible displays in 'sporting' history, Ecclestone, rather than seeking forgiveness from the Americans, appears to be telling them that they don't deserve his sport.
"It does not matter to Formula One if there is no grand prix in the US," declares the Englishman. "What do we get from America? Aggravation, that's about all. If you say 'good morning' over there and it's five past 12, you end up with a lawsuit.
"We have never got any sponsors out there," he continued. "The television has never taken off; we have more viewers in Malta than over there. If they want to continue having a round of the Formula One World Championship over there, I am happy to talk to them, which is what I will do."
The same Bernie Ecclestone who had previously said that a World Championship without America was not a World Championship true World Championship now asks; "Why do we need to worry so much about America. America has never really taken to open-wheel racing."
This is the same Ecclestone who in 2004, when asked if he would like to see a major American manufacturer involved in F1 - a single-seater series - replied: "It would be good. It would be super. It would be really super. We would like a really, really strong American team that would be for us. Magic."
Returning to the present, Bernie continued: They talk about the big audiences for NASCAR, but we get as many viewers in Italy alone as they do for NASCAR in the States."
However, before writing off all hope of a future for F1 in the US, Ecclestone added: "I have a very good relationship with the people in Indianapolis and I am sure talks will go well."
Quite how CVC, which now owns 100 percent of the Formula One Group, having bought the final 14.175 percent Lehman Brothers' in March, will react to his claim remains to be seen, especially if the company is aiming to obtain the maximum return on its investment.
Furthermore, the manufacturers, including BMW, Mercedes, Honda and Toyota have made no secret of the fact that the American market is one of the reasons they are in F1.