JULY 12, 1999

Budweiser tipped as US Grand Prix sponsor

THERE are suggestions in Europe that the huge US brewing company Anheuser Busch is negotiating for a five-year sponsorship deal for the United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis with its Budweiser beer brand. The company admits that it is looking at Formula 1 but has given no indication as to whether it might sponsor a team or a race. The St. Louis-based company is the world's largest brewing firm and controls the Budweiser, Busch and Michelob brands. It also owns the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and a couple of theme parks.

Budweiser is currently involved as a sponsor in CART, NASCAR and American drag racing but is now trying to raise its profile in Europe and sees F1 at the best way of doing that.

The United States race has been looking for a title sponsor for some weeks but has been restricted by its deal with BernieÊEcclestone which includes a list of companies Indianapolis cannot do a deal with.