By Parminio
December 30 2002

With the money crunch on more and more everywhere, Formula 1 may be too pricey for Speedchannel to pay up. This could spell the end of Formual 1 coverage in the U.S. With only 3 races covered by any major network in the United States, Speedchannel was it for Formula 1. In reality, no major network had covered an F1 event in several years until Ferrari regained the title, and the U.S GP at Indy was born. Ferrari being the best known sportscar brand, and Indy being one of the oldest tracks on earth (FAR older than most, built in 1860) people saw a chance to make some money, but that's about it. As far as actual coverage goes, no major network has even bid on F1 for 2003. Not one. No one apparently is willing to come off the money that the FIA are wanting in order to broadcast it. So, once again, F1 stands to be wiped out in the United States...baring the U.S. Grand Prix of course, which will be covered by a major network. (part of the deal that goes with racing at Indy...not even Bernie can go to Indy and dictate coverage.)

We'll wait and see, as Speedchannel is still trying to get the rights before the season starts, but if they don't, it looks like the couple of million fans here in the U.S. are out of F1 for next year...unless we can key up a Satelite.