Roger Penske would "love" for F1 to return to Indianapolis

US Grand Prix

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Penske would "love" for F1 to return to Indianapolis

F1 has not raced at Indianapolis since 2005

Sam Hall

Friday 9 July 2021 19:29

Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske has claimed the venue would "love" to welcome F1 back to 'the brickyard' to add a third American race to the calendar.

F1 currently races at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas and next year will add the Miami Grand Prix to its roster.

IndyCar team and series owner Penske, however, has again stated his ambition to see Indianapolis return to the calendar for the first time since 2005 which staged the infamous six-car race after all the Michelin-shod cars pulled out on safety grounds.

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Referring to how F1 differs to IndyCar for the circuit's audience, Penske said: "It's maybe a different demographic.

"We get a lot of international people coming to Formula 1. COTA was always very successful and now the race in Miami. It will be terrific.

"We hope to maybe have a Formula 1 race at Indianapolis because we have an FIA-certified track there so we will see.

"The last time they were there they had the tyre problems but we would love to have one at Indianapolis but we will see."

Penske back competing on British soil

Speaking whilst attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Penske revealed the trip to be his first time driving on British soil since winning the 1963 Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch.

Driving a Zerex Special Climax, the American took victory over drivers including Graham Hill, Lorenzo Bandini and touring car legend Jack Sears.

At the hill climb event, Penske is driving the Porsche RS Spyder that raced from 2005 in DHL Porsche Penske Racing colours.

"This is the first time I've been to Goodwood," he added. "I know the Duke of Richmond has asked me many, many times but because of our racing schedule in the US, it has always been a conflict.

"I had F1 a couple of times and ironically today a man brought me a programme from 1963 when I won the bank holiday race at Brands Hatch. How many years ago was that? Almost 60 years ago!

"I was amazed but I remember Graham Hill, many of the great drivers, Mike Parkes, a lot of great people were in that race.

"I had a chance to compete here [in the UK] so that's the last time I really raced here until I had the chance to go up the hill here with the Spyder."