“A crock of s***,” IndyCar CEO blasts F1 Miami GP over potential trademark infringement

Mark Miles lashed out at F1's "Greatest Spectacle" branding after the Miami GP.

“A crock of s***,” IndyCar CEO blasts F1 Miami GP over potential trademark infringement

F1 Miami GP. Image via Autosport.

IndyCar CEO Mark Miles is unhappy with the claim that F1 is the “Greatest Spectacle in Motorsports.” Last weekend at the Miami Grand Prix, rapper LL Cool J introduced the F1 drivers ahead of the race. He gave a short speech before he introduced the 20 drivers. In that, he included certain words that angered Mark Miles. 

It was quite a spectacle as the drivers were welcomed with an orchestral performance directed by the American rapper will.i.am. LL Cool J began the pre-race event with the words, “What’s up, Miami? Let me introduce you to the 20 best drivers in the world. This is the greatest spectacle in motorsports. This is Formula 1.” What bothered Miles was this introduction.

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It is mainly because IndyCar has a long-held trademark on the phrase “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” for the Indianapolis 500 (annual automobile race). But that was not all. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) holds the trademark for being “The Racing Capital of the world.”Mark Miles was already in touch with Liberty Media over F1’s advertising of the Las Vegas GP as “the greatest racing spectacle on the planet.”

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Related: Miami GP sees massive drop in USA viewership, despite being the second-most watched F1 race ever in the country

Mark Miles does not think F1 is the ‘greatest spectacle in racing’

Miami GP. Image via F1.
Miami GP. Image via F1.

Mark Miles, the CEO, and president of Penske Entertainment Corp, spoke to IndyStar about the Miami GP. He stated, “I heard that, and my reaction was, ‘I’ll bet you race fans know that’s a crock of (s***). ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ is right here (at IMS) in May, by every measure. And I don’t expect (the potential trademark infringements) to continue.”

Miles also revealed he had a conversation with the F1 owners regarding the Las Vegas GP advertising. He said, “We had a little conversation with them when it was popping up around Vegas, and it was very informal and quick, so I was surprised by (Sunday). But I don’t think that’s their general MO.” LL Cool J’s intro calling F1 “the greatest spectacle in motorsports” is close to the IMS’s trademark, which they already filed in 1985.

Mark Miles does not know the people responsible for writing the Miami GP introduction. But he ruled out F1 president Stefano Domenicali. He does not think it would have come from higher authorities.

Doug Boles, IMS president, confessed that the Penske Entertainment officials would reach out to Liberty Media and F1 again. It will be to raise their concerns and will be done politely. Boles stated that they wanted F1 to be successful in the US. However, they must refrain from using IndyCar’s trademarks.

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