American success story

Stylish exit: Hakkinen finishes first in Indianapolis

BBC motor racing correspondent Jonathan Legard looks back on a hugely successful US Grand Prix.

If Mika Hakkinen never wins another race, he should treasure his victory at Indianapolis as one of the most significant of his career.

Written off as a has-been by some following the announcement of his sabbatical, and relegated from the front row for not stopping at a red light in warm-up, Hakkinen turned in a vintage performance.

McLaren worked a brilliant strategy. The car was perfectly reliable and he drove it like the double world champion he is.

Button: Anglo-American affair

Crucially he was in the right place at the right time while rivals like Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barrichello lost out.

Hakkinen deserved his champagne moment.

He's been dogged by too much misfortune this season.

His shocking suspension failure set the tone from the first race in Australia. His last lap breakdown when leading in Spain was even more cruel.

But it wasn't merely winning again that should make this year's US Grand Prix so memorable for last Friday's birthday boy.

This was no ordinary race weekend.

This was the largest international event on US soil since that earth shattering day on 11 September.

But it was also a peculiarly national occasion in which Bernie Ecclestone's multi-national, multi-million dollar empire was a sympathetic, supportive player and America embraced Formula One like never before.

Rare loss for Schumi

This time, unlike the curious, strangely sterile debut at Indianapolis 12 months ago, a crowd of 175,000 people were treated to a thrilling show that captivated, distracted and entertained in equal measure.

Ignore those who carp that the attendance was down on last year.

The circumstances were as different as black and white.

Barrichello passing Montoya, Montoya passing Michael Schumacher, Irvine charging past Heidfeld, Alesi catching both Benettons - this was the best of Formula One lit by unbroken sunshine under a perfect blue sky.

The sense of well-being was almost tangible.

The rapturous reception from the towering grandstands as Hakkinen celebrated after the chequered flag was a whole-hearted endorsement of the decision to go ahead with the race.

The fans were so enthusiastic and there was a super atmosphere

Mika Hakkinen

Any feelings of unease and uncertainty, lingering since Monza two weeks ago, had long since vanished. Rather like the traffic after the race.

Not a jam in sight for the season's biggest F1 attendance. Silverstone and Rockingham, please take note.

"Don't stop, Mika!" was the most frequent cry as Hakkinen paraded his trophies in front of the cheering crowd.

"What a weekend and to finish it by winning at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is very special indeed," the winner beamed.

"The fans were so enthusiastic and there was a super atmosphere."

Extortion

He was so right. And his colleagues agreed.

Each of the drivers donated a personal race item - helmet or overalls - to be auctioned in aid of children orphaned in the terror attacks.

For all the good to emerge over the weekend, the organisers still have work to do in at least two areas.

Firstly, the layout of the circuit. The marriage between the sweeping oval and fiddly infield road course is highly unsatisfactory.

Verstappen looks on

Even Hakkinen described it as a game more than a challenge.

The drivers were almost unanimous in their call for modifications, possibly incorporating part of the back straight of the oval.

Secondly, Indianapolis hotel managers need to take a long hard look at themselves.

Their prices were disgracefully and outrageously high.

The charge for the most basic downtown accommodation was in the region of £200 per night - an increase of 300% on the normal rate!

Yet a Sunday grandstand seat cost £50 and a three day race pass only £30.

Uplifting weekend

Even when teams and sponsors cancelled extensive group reservations, prices barely dipped to attract new custom.

Captive market or not, the city should be welcoming its visitors not fleecing them.

The racing capital of the world, as the motor speedway sells itself, deserves better support from the community.

At a time when goodwill and unity have been so prevalent in the face of such unprecedented adversity, it was a rare discordant note over an otherwise uplifting weekend.