Chicago didn't like F1: 'That was non-negotiable'

A fourth Grand Prix in the United States? Last weekend, it looked like it for a while when it was announced that Formula 1 had filed trademarks indicating a GP in Chicago with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. However, GPblog was soon able to dispel the rumour: there are no plans for a Grand Prix in the country's third city.

There have been some thoughts in Chicago about bringing Formula 1 to the city. That played out quite some time ago, even before NASCAR announced a city race in the cit. At least, a local politician tells the Chicago Sun Times newspaper.

"I have been told that F1 usually requires a minimum contract of 10 years. And that seems non-negotiable. The conversation [with the city] didn't get much further than that," Brian Hopkins says. The politician doesn't confirm whether he means that there was actually a serious discussion with Formula 1 or whether options were merely inquired about.

So NASCAR did race through the streets of Chicago. Hopkins realises that two races in a year are not doable. Moreover, organising a NASCAR race is much cheaper and easier to do than an F1 race.