McLaren CEO Zak Brown has suggested that the United States Grand Prix should rotate between Indianapolis Motor Speedway and The Circuit of the Americas.
IMS played host to F1 for eight races from 2000 through 2007 while the sport was absent from the country until the purpose-built COTA, in Austin, Texas, joined the schedule in 2012.
F1’s long search for a second US event came to fruition last week as a 10-year deal was struck with Miami City Council which will see a street circuit located at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens.
Brown believes F1 could reach an even wider audience with three venues in order to maximise the potential to secure a solid grounding in the US.
“I’ve voiced my opinion [to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali] that I think Indianapolis should have a Grand Prix,” Brown told The Indianapolis Star.
“I think I’d like to see in America three grands prix, but the schedule may not allow for three.
“I’d like to see one permanent one, and then maybe a rotation. Then, you get three markets, and you keep the enthusiasm and the excitement if you have a little bit more scarcity.
“I think Miami needs to run on an annual basis … but now that (COTA) has been built, I don’t know if it needs it every year. And Indianapolis, because it’s built, I don’t think it needs it every year. So I could see a scenario where you went to Miami, and you rotated Austin and Indy.
“I think it’d be great. I think everyone wins.”
Under the stewardship of Roger Penske the idea of Formula 1 returning to IMS has been raised and a brief statement was released by the circuit, affirming there “continues to be mutual interest in an F1 race at IMS.
“We’re open to further dialogue, and time will tell if there’s an opportunity that works for everyone.”
Brown also floated the idea of running a joint event between Formula 1 and IndyCar, where he also runs a team.
“I think if you put all that together, it would be very successful as it was, but then it started to taper off,” added Brown.
“That tapering off might stop or lessen. And you’ve got Roger, who’s a great promoter, and maybe you run IndyCar as part of it as well.
“I think it would be great for IndyCar. There’s magic that can be worked there.”
I don’t give a monkey’s how many circuits they use for Formula One in the USA. Just as long as they only use one per year. One country, one race. That’s the way to go. It’s a World Championship, and should reflect that by going to as many countries as practicable. Liberty are said to want twenty-five races per year, and there are plenty more than twenty-five countries willing and able to host one.