INDIANAPOLIS -- Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone will miss Sunday's U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis due to business commitments, organizers have said.

"I had planned on being in Indianapolis but urgent business matters now make that impossible," Ecclestone said in a message to Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George.

The U.S. Grand Prix is the 16th race in a 17-race schedule. Michael Schumacher has already clinched the 2002 crown.

Now-retired Mika Hakkinen -- driving a McLaren in 2001 -- won the race last season, the second United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Schumacher won the event in 2000.

The late Aryton Senna won the event five times -- twice at Phoenix and three times at Detroit.