Former Formula 1 world champion Mario Andretti has stressed the importance of having at least one race in the United States, but says the sport must not forget its traditional roots in Europe.
The 72-year-old, speaking to CNBC, not only believes F1 must be in the U.S., but the U.S. needs an F1 race due to the growing popularity of the sport around the world.
“Formula 1 needs to be in the United States on solid ground, and the U.S. needs a Formula One race,” he said.
“With the Circuit de Americas in Austin and the planned event for 2013 in New Jersey, you have two US Grand Prix for the first time and it’s going to be awesome,” he added.
“There is so much more demand for Formula One than it can supply. You have governments investing in circuits all over the world, and the private sector sometimes has a tough time competing with that.
“Formula One has always been very prominent because it is on a world stage, but over the last 10 to 15 years it has gone to the next dimension.”
Whilst expansion into Asia, the Middle East and America is fine, Andretti warns that it must not forget its roots, where it all began in Europe. With new markets, European races are beginning to dwindle with just eight of the 20 races in the continent, and that’s expected to fall to seven in 2013.
“You should never get away from where the real foundation of Formula One has been, which is Europe. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the expansion to countries like Asia, China, Malaysia. I just hope that Mr. Bernie Ecclestone keeps an eye on the strong tradition that Formula 1 has in Europe.”
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