Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Mugello Bound? FIAT Interested?

Recently reported by SPEED's Robin Miller, IndyCar and the Mugello Circuit in Mugello, Italy are in talks about staging a race at the 3.259 mile road course in September 2013. The Italian course currently plays host to the MotoGP Italian Grand Prix.

Also mentioned has been talks of Fiat potentially joining IndyCar as an engine manufacture. It is unclear if Fiat would enter IndyCar next year if Mugello is added to the schedule. Also unclear is if Fiat would take over the Judd engine program, which appears to have been abandoned by Lotus, and what the engine badge would be. Fiat currently owns Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth, Ferrari and majority interest in Chrysler Group, which includes Dodge and SRT.

American open-wheel racing has not been to Europe since 2003, when CART raced at Brands Hatch and EuroSpeedway Lausitz. The current governing body has never sanctioned a race in Europe. The Formula One Italian Grand Prix from Monza is scheduled for September 8, 2013, leaving the 15th and 22nd as the most likely dates for any IndyCar at Mugello.

Other races that have been thrown around to fill the September gap in 2013 are Kentucky, Montreal and Providence.