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What others are saying:
Compared well against '94 Indy 500.
Excellent facilities, good day out only spoiled a little by rain - David
- UK
F1@indy was undoubtedly a success. Track
layout was disappointing. The infield portion too slow encouraging
"contact" passing! Last 3 turns were flat out (like a long
straight). Braking for T1 is about the only reasonable passing zone. NO,
pls don't run them on the oval! - John H - USA
The chance to see F1 in a new environment does not appear
very often & it was interesting to see the different set ups used some where using a
high downforce & where slow on the open section on the track but fast through the
infield,it made for great racing!
Maybe in the future we will see F1 on the normal Indy circuit a new challenge would show
up the real drivers! - Tony C - Australia
We were there and it was FABULOUS! So much so that we
are planning on attending again next year! (And this is no small expense, coming
from Calif.)
We're still on a high from the entire event! - Celeste V - USA
Although I responded earlier, I just got around to reading
the Sunday and Monday Indianapolis Star newspaper and I have to say the sports writers
(Robin Miller and Bill Benner) certainly don't understand or appreciate the value of F1 in
Indy. They did not feel this was a "race" and they see all the work done by Tony
George to prepare the circuit as a waste. Well, it will be too bad when the IRL finally
fails and the F1 race is the "biggest" event at the speedway - Nick G -
USA
The race was much better than expected. For a 1st year F1
effort, the track was awsome, the viewing is better nowhere else, and this race has
character that should differentiate it from the others and give it it's own spot on the F1
schedule. 1 - The crowd is 200,000 Plus. 2 - It has one of the longest
flat-out sections in F1. The cars are flat-out for over 20 seconds. 3 - It has the cars on
banked turns, which I believe is the only instance in F1. I go to races all over and had
one of the most enjoyable experiences at Indy-F1 this year ever - Robert - USA
I think it was a success and I am hoping this race at indy
will not stop as it did nine years ago - Williams B - Ghana
My seats in the north stands were very nice - watching the
cars screaming down the straight and suddenly slamming on brakes whipping thru turns was
awesome. But for up close action general admission is the way to go. Great vision standing
on the mounds next to the track. The speedway failed though in fan comforts. With 90 years
of practice hosting 200,000 + fans it was impossible on race day to get to
concessionaires. There should have been three times the amount of food vendors. Also the
announcer sounded like some NASCAR redneck, who was that guy. Lets get someone in there
that knows the sport, it was an embarrassment. But overall a great time! - Kelly M
- Richmond VA - USA
I watched the race live and three more times when repeated.
It was such a thrill to see the Ferrari's. Where else can you see them? Maybe some of the
older GT cars independently owned. But this is the real stuff with the Ferrari company
going all out to win. Too bad Mercedes had to burn up an engine in front of America but
that's motor racing - Big Bob - USA
I was sitting high up in the stands at turn 1. It was
fantastic!!! Shumi passing DC and then seeing JV fly past HHF in typical Kanuk fashion
were the highlights of the day.
I met a lot of really cool German, Dutch, British, and Spanish fans and we had a great
deal of fun. Where were the Brazilians???
I would like to see the last section (after the short straight) of the infield re-worked
(get rid of the Mickey & Mouse turns) use more of the infield...
American racing IS about speed and having two first gear corners did not due a race at
Indy justice. (good thing I could not see that...er...action)
The only downside to the entire weekend was the idiot fan who threw a Fosters can and hit
a Minardi after it had spun into the kitty litter.
I put in for my ticket next year in on Monday morning and I will gladly make the 14 hour
drive from Richmond Virginia again!!!! So my only question is...when are the powers that
be going to add Elkhart Lake or Laguna Seka to the F1 roster? - Timothy M - USA
I used to hate Indy, for classical American racing like a
nut in a circle. But now I'm sorry, I believe this track will set the standards for new F1
racing tracks, so will be more than exciting to see the differences between a classic F1
race track and the new style (I'll say American style). This type of track will challenge
the designers for chassis, the engineers for new mechanical stuff(engines transmissions
tires), the drivers for new infos beside the talent, for set ups. I was surprised by the
F1 fans in Indy and Ferrari fans especially. I think we'll have to call Bernie the
Christopher Columbus of Formula One. My best regards - Marian - Romanian living in
the USA
Indianapolis Motor Speedway has experience hosting large
race crowds in a flawless and professional manner, and the job they did hosting the F1
race reflected this experience. Great facilities, a great track, a great race, and a
great city. I'll be there again next year ! - Jeff R - USA
I'm an Indianapolis resident and regular fan of the
"500" every May. I've been a fan of F1 since I was a boy eagerly following
Fangio and the fabulous return of Mercedes to F1 in the late 50's. I have long been a
Ferrari fan and when Michael joined them I was in heaven! So finally getting to see
my first F1 event and having Ferrari and Michael win was just too good to believe. My seat
was in the grandstand directly opposite the McLaren and Ferrari pits, as well as a large
T.V. monitor. I was a little worried that the (slightly) reduced speeds (relative to the
Indy Cars) would adversely affect fan response, but I'm happy to report that everyone I
talked to loved the event. I bought my ticket for next year before I left the grounds.
Thank you Bernie E. and Tony G. for helping make a dream come true! - Jim W - USA
Great race, super track. This is what all GP tracks should
look like.
No overtaking problem here, the track is wide enough and designed right. Unlike most
others on the circuit which were suitable for cars of 50 years ago - Pete F - USA
The race was a special event and we traveled all the way
from California to see it. Simply incredible - Joseph B - USA
This has got to be the most obtuse question you have asked
all season! In fact,it leads me to believe that you were abducted by aliens and had your
brains jettisoned at a close proximity to Uranus. Please pardon me for taking an
Existentialist posture on this one, but The Grand Prix of the U.S.A. simply was what it
was . An exiting race,in front of a large enthusiastic crowd,with a lot at stake! Was it
successful? For Ferrari, I would say quite. For McLaren, not much - Victor D - USA
The US GP was fabulous! I was there, and being my first
race I can't really compare to any other race, but I think they did a real good job in
keeping the place organized, and clean! As for the pilots, they're just as good as you can
get! Overall, the INDY GP was fantastic in hosting the F1 race - Dan A - Brazil
The US GP was very exciting but, had all the ingredients
for so much more. Hakkinen WAS catching Michael (and fast) before his retirement, which no
doubt would have been a great battle between the 2 championship front-runners.
That much expected/anticipated mid-race deluge of rain would have added that further twist
to the plot, and the unfortunate start for DC would have no doubt have made this race one
of the most exciting of the season (2nd only to Hockenheim)
That side of the world doesn't seem to be very lucky for Coulthard, he was disqualified in
brazil, stalled on the grid in Canada and now this. Maybe the FIA should have JUST a
stop/go rather than a 10 second stop/go penalty for offences of this nature, it would have
helped make the Canadian GP more exciting, and no doubt this one too.
As for the track lay-out, I think its perfect, don't change a thing. And I definitely DO
NOT want to see the F1 race run on the oval because I like seeing the drivers exhibit
their skill by attacking the DIFFERENT corners on a technical circuit, rather than 4
identical corners separated by straights, which any driver can do, Coming up my driveway
seems more challenging.
(My prayers were almost answered when MS went off towards the end there) -
Notorious - Australia
The atmosphere surrounding the event was contagious
and exciting. I paid $85.00 for a seat where I could only see the front straight away and
not even all of that was visible. I also was unable to see any of the jumbo trons either,
so much time was spent waiting for the cars to come around for another lap. This was my
first experience with Formula-1 and I don't know if I will go back next year or not -
Jim M - USA
It was my first time at Indy and my first time at an F1
race and I thought it was totally awesome! I hope F1 comes back to the US every year, no
matter where - Jim S - USA
I just returned from Indianapolis tonight. The race weekend
was all I expected and more. Good to see competitive racing and overtaking. Support races
were entertaining and the weather was typical for Indiana in September. Friday and
Saturday were great as general admission allowed fans to observe practice all over the
circuit - Nick G - USA
The variable track conditions contributed to an excellent
race. Of course Hakkinen's retirement did spoil what would have been a fantastic battle
with Schumacher, nonetheless I think the race will have gone some way to endearing F1 to
America.
How about a race on the oval next year? - Dunder - Hong Kong
I have always wanted to attend a Grand Prix Race and
finally went to one at Indy. I had a ball and look forward to future races.
Our seats were great and the crowd was well mannered for the most part. I
think it was a great success - Al D - USA
fan-tastic!!! although our coverage of the race here
in Canada could have been better I believe this was the most exciting race of the season.
possibly the last few seasons. with the track layout making it a little difficult to find
the right set up, the different approaches and car set ups allowed for some very
interesting racing, not the follow the leader which we often see. as a huge Villeneuve and
BAR fan the battle for third place really had me on the edge of my seat. way to go and a
big thumbs up to the us grand prix. lets hope it's here to stay - Bryan L - Canada
The U.S. Grand Prix is now history and a more exciting
story could not have been written. As I indicated in my earlier comments I spent a good
portion of the last 3 days at the speedway and from what I saw and heard I believe the
fans got a great show. The practice sessions, the qualifications and finally the race
itself had all the ingredients. It appears the only ones crying the blues were the
independent ticket brokers (and maybe Mika whose been known to shed a few tears when his
car breaks) trying to unload tickets outside the speedway on Sunday at less than face
value. A little warmer weather and perhaps a little less greed, however, may have solved
their problem. It will indeed be interesting to see what the experts have to say. But I
can tell you that my order for tickets for next year is already filled out and ready to be
mailed - Jim H - USA
Indy and F1 are the perfect match. Just finished
watching the race...I'd say F1 found it's US home - Rob Y - USA
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