The Formula 1 world championship returns to what is perhaps the most famous racing circuit in the world in 2000, after a 40-year absence.
The 2.5-mile oval has been the home of the world-renowned Indy 500 since 1909. Many of the motor racing's most famous names have triumphed in the event including Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Mario Andretti. More recently in 1995 Jacques Villeneuve became the only current grand prix driver to take victory in the race.
Throughout the 1950s the Indianapolis 500 was included in the world championship, leading to a bizarre situation where a local driver would claim a maximum world championship score without taking part in any of the European-based grand prix.
Indianapolis has been redesigned for this season to include an infield section although the track will still use part of the familiar oval in this September's American Grand Prix. Formula 1 has always struggled to attract an audience in the US and staging a grand prix at Indianapolis is surely the sport's last chance to gain recognition in the important American market. 
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