F1 stars look forward to Indy return

Rubens Barrichello is predicting a “fantastic atmosphere” when Formula One visits one of motorsport’s most historic venues this weekend.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts round nine of this season’s world championship and Barrichello cannot wait to experience the Brickyard’s unique atmosphere.

The Ferrari driver said: “There is going to be a fantastic atmosphere at Indy because over the last few years it has been quite good already.

“I guess everybody is going to go to see Scott Speed driving the Red Bull car on Friday practice, so I guess this is good motivation to see the Americans come out and check it out.”

Formula One is desperate to break into the lucrative United States market and world champion Michael Schumacher believes the Indianapolis race is beginning to attract attention.

The legendary Indianapolis 500 counted for world championship points between 1950 and 1960 but only since 2000 has a grand prix graced the 300,000-capacity speedway, an emblem for motorsport throughout the US.

Both Schumacher and McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen believe Formula One is beginning to take hold in the US.

Schumacher said: “I think we have great enthusiasm at Indy, sometimes more than at some European races to be honest.

“I look forward to the atmosphere. It has been going well in the past and I hope for a good race as well this year.”

Raikkonen added: “It’s so difficult to say beforehand but I think last year there were already more people than before so I think it’s going to pick up every year, more and more people are coming and getting more interested.”

Local fans have at least one familiar name in the field even if they are not Formula One aficionados.

Juan Pablo Montoya won the Indy 500 in 2000 and the McLaren driver is keen to repeat that victory on what is the nearest to a home grand prix for the Colombian.

“It would be nice to be competitive there,” he said. “That is one of the races I have not won that I would like to win. It is special. I won the Indy 500 and it was great.

“There will be lots of Colombians there, it will be pretty out of control. They go wild with all the shouting and stuff but I don’t mind that.”