Bernie Ecclestone doubts that Formula 1 will become a big success in America even with two grands prix scheduled to run here by 2013.
The World Championship returns to the United States next year after a four-season absence, racing at a new purpose-built course in Austin, Texas, where construction was recently restarted after financial and organizational issues. A deal has also been completed to race on a street track in New Jersey the following year.
But asked in an interview with Al Jazeera whether he thought this would allow F1 to become "big" in America, Ecclestone expressed doubts.
"We've got a maximum of two races in America and when you consider the country is as big as Europe and we've got several races in Europe, it's difficult," he said. "If we had a lot more races there and a lot more television [coverage], it would be OK.
"It's a bit like the rest of America in that they want to see a profit before they start something and it's not easy to do that."
F1 last raced in the U.S. from 2000 to '07, when it utilized the infield road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.