Bernie puts USGP future in doubt

Formula 1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone has hinted that the spectator turnout at this year's United States Grand Prix will be crucial to determine the future of the event, as the current contract between F1 and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway expires after the 2006 race.

"The deal finishes this year – for 2007, the answer at the moment is let's see," the sport's "supremo" said at the Autosport International Show in England.

Ecclestone, however, stopped short of pointing out a crowd size that would define the 2006 USGP as successful enough to guarantee its future. Asked what a good turnout would be, he quipped: "Of teams?", referring to the six-cars-only race provoked by the boycott of the Michelin-shod squads last year. Previous USGP crowds always exceeded 100,000 spectators. SPEEDTV.com