Eaxctly. I'm willing to bet that when he likes of Catalunya and Interlagos were constrcted, their respective cities were not encroaching upon the baoundaries of the circuit. In fact, I'd say they'd have been quite deliberately isolated because of thenoise, but the cities evenually grew around them.
Actually, the answer is in the name: Interlagos, between resevoirs. The land was bought in order to build houses, but the land was unsuitable, and they built a track instead - the slums were always around it.
I think seeing as Indy is out of the equation, a US street circuit would be very welcome in my opinion 👍 I realise we are getting a few too many at the moment, but at least the US has a history of street circuit-Grand Prix...some of them classics.
Otherwise, I think these new US teams should get together and try and start a project to build a new circuit up to FIA standards perhaps? Then they could hold test sessions there rather than flying out to Europe.
Indy isn't out of the equation as a track - only as far as Bernie's money is concerned. With increased US-based support due to the new US teams, and perhaps some concessions on Bernie's part (pressured by the teams), Indy would instantly return to the schedule.
Building an FIA-standard track would cost hundreds of millions,
plus the Bernie-fees that prevent a race at Indy. And USGPE already stated they'll have a base in Spain, next to the three favourite testing-tracks - Catalunya, Jerez, and the Autodromo Algarve.
It was the same as loving Minardi - not because they did anything particularly amazing, but they were the backenders who tried hard. Who doesn't enjoy an underdog team? They were as much a part of the characters of F1 as Ferrari or McLaren.
And actually you also forgot Anthony Davidson running in 3rd at one point in Canada too
Indeed, running 3rd, and then stopping to end up 5th after his final planned stop - with the others yet to pit. However, he hit a groundhog and had to pit yet again.
Also note, dyr?, that at the time, achieving 6th place (and the associated points) was more than the factory Honda did. For a notoriously dangerous driver like Sato to execute a perfect pass in last year's car on the reigning double world champion in a championship-leading McLaren - that was quite a feat. Sato was pretty much last when the safety-car came in - however, using his superior tyres (others were on their mandatory Supersofts stint), he sliced his way from ~14th to 6th.
, almost prompting me to proclaim "Life is back!", but alas, no such luck lol.
