Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: All 11 teams expected for F1 U.S. Grand Prix

Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001 | 10:27 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. Reach him at bh@lasvegassun.com or 259-4089.

The second annual SAP United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway will take place as scheduled on Sept. 30 and both IMS president Tony George and Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone expect all 11 teams to compete with their regular drivers.

Last week, following the terrorist attacks in the U.S., Williams-BMW driver Ralf Schumacher said that racing in Indianapolis would be "a bad joke," and Ferrari told 2001 world champion driver Michael Schumacher that it would have no problem if he opted not to race at Indy.

Over the weekend, however, Ecclestone insisted the race would go on as planned and hinted that drivers -- Michael Schumacher in particular -- might be penalized if they skipped the U.S. race.

"Let's get one thing straight," Ecclestone told the Sunday Times of London. "Michael Schumacher is not yet the 2001 world champion. Anything could happen. Maybe he could lose his points over one of the next three races. I'm sure that won't be the case, but it could be."

The recent rumors and reports of drivers considering bypassing the Indy race prompted George to put out yet another release emphasizing that the race was on and the speedway has a "comprehensive security plan" for the event.

"Every top official involved with the organization of Formula One, including FIA president Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone, has indicated that the U.S. Grand Prix will continue as scheduled," George said in a prepared statement.

"While we are very saddened by recent events, we continue to plan and work for what we expect will be a successful, exciting event. President Bush has urged Americans and the world to proceed with everyday life and we are doing so with deep respect for those affected by last week's tragedies."

Montoya, the 1999 CART champion and 2000 Indy 500 winner who now drives for Williams, won his first F1 race Sunday in Monza, Italy.

"I think it's going to be a very emotional race for everybody," Montoya said. "I'm very happy to go back there. Last time I was there, I won. I've taken my first Formula One win now. The car should work pretty well there, so it should be quite interesting."

Montoya joined Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Jacques Villeneuve as drivers who have won the Indianapolis 500 and an F1 race in the modern F1 era, which began in 1950.

According to Sports Business Journal, tickets sales have been sluggish for the race, prompting IMS officials to take out radio and TV ads to promote the race. The publication also quoted a member of the Indianapolis convention and visitors association as saying George is "begging" local hotels to lower their room rates to attract more fans.