OCTOBER 4, 2001

No change for Indianapolis next year

THE Indianapolis Motor Speedway F1 circuit is not going to be changed for next year but IMS President Tony George says he is looking at creating a more exciting track in the longer term. In doing so he will also increase the crowd capacity of F1 to more than 300,000. As interest in F1 in the United States grows there should not be a problem in filling the grandstands. "We have a plan to modify the circuit, lengthen it a little bit and create another overtaking area," George admitted after this year's race, "but nothing's definite at this point."

George and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone are believed to be looking at possible second US venues to increase interest in the series although most people agree that the fastest way to create interest is to find a decent American driver.