Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George is hopeful the US Grand Prix would remain on the Formula One schedule and on his famed track following talks with F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.
The two met twice ahead of Sunday’s US Grand Prix, won by British star Lewis Hamilton, and discussed a new contract for the race to return. The first deal signed in 2000 expired last year when a one-year extension was signed.
George wants a long-term deal while Ecclestone has said a US race was not vital to F1. Both have agreed upon a July 12 deadline to strike a new deal.
“We still don’t know the future but I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to announce soon that we’ll be continuing,” George said.

‘Positive’
“I am positive about the discussions we’ve had. I just wish I could control all of the aspects of it, which I don’t. I genuinely think that Bernie and 90 percent of the people involved in Formula One would like to see it work out so that we can continue here.” George wants long-term assurance the race will stay in Indy so he can build upon the framework established since it was revived here in 2000 on a specially made course incorporating some of the famed facility’s 2-1/2-mile oval.
“I’m not just talking about the economic impact, but it would be a terrible thing to lose it.
There’s more to it than just that, more to it from our standpoint, from Formula One’s standpoint,” George said.