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Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003 - Minor changes have been made to the Formula One schedule for the United States Grand Prix on Saturday, Sept. 27 to better accommodate worldwide television viewers, FIA and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials announced Sept. 17.
Formula One free practice sessions will take place from 8-8:45 a.m. and 9:15-10 a.m. (EST, -5 hours GMT) Saturday, one hour earlier than previously scheduled. The qualifying warm-up will take place from 12:30-12:45 p.m., with the second, single-lap qualifying session from 1-2 p.m., both sessions one hour earlier than previously scheduled. "Worldwide attention on this fascinating and exciting Formula One season continues to grow, and all eyes will be focused on Indianapolis during the United States Grand Prix weekend," said Joie Chitwood, senior vice president of business affairs for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"Because of the strong interest in this event and the F1 title chase, the FIA has made slight changes to the Saturday schedule so qualifying can be broadcast in prime time throughout Europe. "It was important to us not to make a change to the schedule that would have a negative impact on the fans attending the event. These changes are minimal enough that it should be a win-win for everyone." The Race Day schedule for Sunday, Sept. 28, is unchanged. The fourth United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis will start at 1 p.m. on the 2.605-mile road circuit.
Intense races for the FIA Formula One Drivers and Constructors Championships will continue at Indianapolis. Five-time World Champion Michael Schumacher leads 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya by just three points, 82-79, with Kimi Raikkonen third at 75. Williams-BMW holds a tight 141-137 lead over defending Constructors champion Ferrari. Slight changes also were made to the schedule for Friday and Saturday for the Porsche Michelin Supercup support series.
A Porsche Michelin Supercup free practice has been added for 3:30-4 p.m. Friday, with the first qualifying session for the world's fastest international single-marque sports car series moving to 5 p.m. On Saturday, the second Porsche qualifying session has moved to 11:15 a.m., with the first of two races for the series moving to 3 p.m. The second Porsche Michelin Supercup race will start at 10:40 a.m. Sunday, as previously scheduled. Tickets for the United States Grand Prix can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, or by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.
Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office. 2003 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE (Revised Sept. 17; all times Eastern Standard, -5 hours GMT) THURSDAY, Sept. 25 8 a.m.-noon Public pit walkabout FRIDAY, Sept. 26 7 a.m. Gates open 8:30-10:30 a.m. Formula One test session 11 a.m.-noon Formula One practice 2-3 p.m. Formula One qualifying session #1 3:30-4 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup practice 5-5:45 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup qualifying session #1 SATURDAY, Sept. 27 7 a.m. Gates open 8-8:45 a.m. Formula One practice 9:15-10 a.m. Formula One practice 11:15 a.m.-noon Porsche Michelin Supercup qualifying session #2 12:30-12:45 p.m. Formula One warm-up session 1-2 p.m. Formula One qualifying session #2 3-3:40 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup race #1 (16 laps) SUNDAY, Sept. 28 6 a.m. Gates open 10:15 a.m. Formula One drivers' parade 10:40-11:20 a.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup race #2 (16 laps) 11:45-12:15 a.m. Formula One grid presentation 12:46 p.m. National anthem 1 p.m. United States Grand Prix (73 laps)
Formula One free practice sessions will take place from 8-8:45 a.m. and 9:15-10 a.m. (EST, -5 hours GMT) Saturday, one hour earlier than previously scheduled. The qualifying warm-up will take place from 12:30-12:45 p.m., with the second, single-lap qualifying session from 1-2 p.m., both sessions one hour earlier than previously scheduled. "Worldwide attention on this fascinating and exciting Formula One season continues to grow, and all eyes will be focused on Indianapolis during the United States Grand Prix weekend," said Joie Chitwood, senior vice president of business affairs for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
"Because of the strong interest in this event and the F1 title chase, the FIA has made slight changes to the Saturday schedule so qualifying can be broadcast in prime time throughout Europe. "It was important to us not to make a change to the schedule that would have a negative impact on the fans attending the event. These changes are minimal enough that it should be a win-win for everyone." The Race Day schedule for Sunday, Sept. 28, is unchanged. The fourth United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis will start at 1 p.m. on the 2.605-mile road circuit.
Intense races for the FIA Formula One Drivers and Constructors Championships will continue at Indianapolis. Five-time World Champion Michael Schumacher leads 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner Juan Pablo Montoya by just three points, 82-79, with Kimi Raikkonen third at 75. Williams-BMW holds a tight 141-137 lead over defending Constructors champion Ferrari. Slight changes also were made to the schedule for Friday and Saturday for the Porsche Michelin Supercup support series.
A Porsche Michelin Supercup free practice has been added for 3:30-4 p.m. Friday, with the first qualifying session for the world's fastest international single-marque sports car series moving to 5 p.m. On Saturday, the second Porsche qualifying session has moved to 11:15 a.m., with the first of two races for the series moving to 3 p.m. The second Porsche Michelin Supercup race will start at 10:40 a.m. Sunday, as previously scheduled. Tickets for the United States Grand Prix can be purchased online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com, or by calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.
Parking and camping information also can be obtained through the ticket office. 2003 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX SCHEDULE (Revised Sept. 17; all times Eastern Standard, -5 hours GMT) THURSDAY, Sept. 25 8 a.m.-noon Public pit walkabout FRIDAY, Sept. 26 7 a.m. Gates open 8:30-10:30 a.m. Formula One test session 11 a.m.-noon Formula One practice 2-3 p.m. Formula One qualifying session #1 3:30-4 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup practice 5-5:45 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup qualifying session #1 SATURDAY, Sept. 27 7 a.m. Gates open 8-8:45 a.m. Formula One practice 9:15-10 a.m. Formula One practice 11:15 a.m.-noon Porsche Michelin Supercup qualifying session #2 12:30-12:45 p.m. Formula One warm-up session 1-2 p.m. Formula One qualifying session #2 3-3:40 p.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup race #1 (16 laps) SUNDAY, Sept. 28 6 a.m. Gates open 10:15 a.m. Formula One drivers' parade 10:40-11:20 a.m. Porsche Michelin Supercup race #2 (16 laps) 11:45-12:15 a.m. Formula One grid presentation 12:46 p.m. National anthem 1 p.m. United States Grand Prix (73 laps)
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