we can only hope...
wangotango68
Posts: 1,056
Maranello, Italy (BP) - Discouraged by the recent changes to Formula One qualifying rules, that have left it winless in two tries, Scuderia Ferrari appears to be actively looking for another venue to showcase its world-beating cars and drivers.
According to inside sources, Ferrari Team General Director Jean Todt is in serious negotiations with principals from the Indy Racing League (IRL) concerning a Ferrari switch from Formula One to IRL during the 2005 season. Ferrari is looking to increase their presence in the US and, having dominated Formula One for the last three seasons, is now looking for a new challenge.
Insiders say privately that Todt and Tony George have struck up a strong friendship, based on meetings that have occured regularly at the last three USGP races held in Indianapolis.
Ferrari's star driver, Michael Schumacher, the five-time Formula One World Champion who is currently contracted with Ferrari through 2004, has even made comments recently, that indicate he would back such a move. Schumacher, reeling from not having obtained a single podium finish in two months, sees the IRL as the perfect way to vindicate his abilities and silence his critics. According to friends who've talked with Schumacher, he feels this the perfect time to tap into IRL's rising status as what he feels will be the "the dominant open-wheel motorsport venue". Schumacher's teamate Reubens Barichello is privately expressing his excitement at the possiblity of "burning up the ovals" throughout the US.
According to inside sources, Ferrari Team General Director Jean Todt is in serious negotiations with principals from the Indy Racing League (IRL) concerning a Ferrari switch from Formula One to IRL during the 2005 season. Ferrari is looking to increase their presence in the US and, having dominated Formula One for the last three seasons, is now looking for a new challenge.
Insiders say privately that Todt and Tony George have struck up a strong friendship, based on meetings that have occured regularly at the last three USGP races held in Indianapolis.
Ferrari's star driver, Michael Schumacher, the five-time Formula One World Champion who is currently contracted with Ferrari through 2004, has even made comments recently, that indicate he would back such a move. Schumacher, reeling from not having obtained a single podium finish in two months, sees the IRL as the perfect way to vindicate his abilities and silence his critics. According to friends who've talked with Schumacher, he feels this the perfect time to tap into IRL's rising status as what he feels will be the "the dominant open-wheel motorsport venue". Schumacher's teamate Reubens Barichello is privately expressing his excitement at the possiblity of "burning up the ovals" throughout the US.
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on