Team US F1 determined to use U.S. drivers - WHO?

[Chris Elyea]

Team US F1 article from Formula1.com (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/8/9728.html)

I watch a lot of racing, and I can't figure out which American drivers they could put in F1. They're talking about "great young Americans with single-seater talent," but I haven't seen anybody setting the world on fire. Any speculation?

Says Peter Windsor, "There are very good American drivers out there," he said. "To be honest, shame on Formula One and shame on American motorsport that some of these great young Americans with single-seater talent have not been nurtured more and given more opportunity.” Name one!

They've apparently ruled out Danica Patrick, who is mulling over a NASCAR ride for 2010. She'd be great for sponsorship dollars, but she still hasn't proven herself to be a winning driver. Since she now works for Michael Andretti, I'm sure she's heard a lot of advice about avoiding F1.

According to Wikipedia, Windsor was born in England and raised in Australia, before returning to England to work in F1. Not sure why he's such a huge fan of the U.S.A., except maybe for the untapped marketing potential (very clever if so). More trivia in the Wikipedia bio: Windsor was a passenger in the car when Frank Williams had his big accident.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

I was under the impression they were looking at Scott Speed, but I have no idea who else they have in mind.

[rage2]

There is no recognizable US talent that's good for F1 right now. There might be some guys in the lower ranks that are unknown, but we would have no idea. And throwing them into F1 without a feeder series like GP2 would be career suicide.

[Mibz]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77606

Windsor has smartened up and is looking at experienced testers to go along side a rookie American.

[DJ Lazy]

USF1 already making mistakes in F1 and they haven't even got to the grid yet... :rofl: Most likely guaranteeing themselves the backmarker slots...



Shit guys, at the rate they are bringing in inexperienced rookies from sub-par series', we should try and get a seat... :rofl:

[Mibz]

Originally posted by DJ Lazy
we should try and get a seat... :rofl: I can see the Beyond F1 team now... Pedobear decals, tinted windshield, claw shaped aero, drivers contractually obliged to flip off Ferrari cars and pit crew as well as uppercut the trophy presenters.

[DJ Lazy]

Originally posted by Mibz
Beyond F1 team...

Gotta admit... It rolls off the tongue nicely! :thumbsup:


Maybe claw shaped aero is something the rest of the teams have overlooked. :rofl: BeyondF1 Domination in our first season? :D

[Mibz]

Originally posted by DJ Lazy


Gotta admit... It rolls off the tongue nicely! :thumbsup:


Maybe claw shaped aero is something the rest of the teams have overlooked. :rofl: BeyondF1 Domination in our first season? :D I'd spend all my time in the pits revving the engine like that guy in the Honda commercial.

[Chris Elyea]

Originally posted by Mibz
I'd spend all my time in the pits revving the engine like that guy in the Honda commercial.

Yessir, and at $5-million, you'd beat the budget cap, too. I bet that guy in the commerical is an American, and he's been in an F1 car before, so maybe US F1 should sign him up!

M0MXM7N5MBA&feature=related

[iceburns288]

They should hold open tryouts. I live like 8 miles from where they're setting up shop!

[Cos]

i say new reality series where we can all tryout for spots on the team. Then if you get bumped from driver there is like a pit crew challenge as filler.

:D

[Chris Elyea]

US F1 now says they can't find any American drivers. No surprise there - even IndyCar only has a few. Wonder what made them change their tune from "lots" to "none"? Were they trying to sign Danica and their plans for 2010 completely fell apart when she re-signed for IndyCar?

Maybe Little Piquet has a shot! He's testing a NASCAR truck soon, so that will get him some American exposure.

US F1 likely to go with non-American drivers (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79326)

[Team_Mclaren]

^
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/091009091653.shtml

[parabs]

Mario Andretti has suggested Marco should strongly consider F1, but why would you want to get a seat in a car that will almost certainly be a backmarker.

Since I have been watching, only Mark Webber and Fernando Alonso came from perennial backmarker teams to achieve something, and for Webber, he has only 1 race win to his credit..so it isnt like he is ultra.

[Chris Elyea]

I guess technically a NASCAR stocker is a single seater, but that's not what I thought Peter Windsor meant when he was talking about all the talented U.S. drivers US F1 had to choose from. With either one of the Busch brothers, F1 would definitely know there was an American in the series! However, Kyle doesn't really sound that interested.

US F1 looks at Kyle Busch for 2011 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79660)

[Zephyr]

Originally posted by Chris Elyea
I guess technically a NASCAR stocker is a single seater, but that's not what I thought Peter Windsor meant when he was talking about all the talented U.S. drivers US F1 had to choose from. With either one of the Busch brothers, F1 would definitely know there was an American in the series! However, Kyle doesn't really sound that interested.

US F1 looks at Kyle Busch for 2011 (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79660)

Kyle Busch?:facepalm: Hope he knows how to make a right turn instead of a left...

[Chris Elyea]

US F1 driver search looking like more of a joke - Busch says he hasn't talked to them.

Busch's teams scoffs at F1 rumours (http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-buschs-nascar-team-plays-down-usf1-rumors/)

[Chris Elyea]

There's no rush to select drivers, says Peter Windsor. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80647) And he's also shocked at Bernie's comments they might not make the 2010 grid....

[Team_Mclaren]

I actually dont see how they can make the grid next year.... absolutely no news of car development or driver selection.

[Hakkola]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that NASCAR drivers do not experience the same G-forces as an F1 driver so probably aren't as fit and not able to even drive the car for a full race.

I love the comments in this thread. :thumbsup:

[Chris Elyea]

US F1 issues press release to say that they have nothing to say. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80684) Don't worry, it's all going according to plan.

[Team_Mclaren]

it still makes you wonder tho, no words on sponsors? drivers? development team? progress? crash testing?

[RickDaTuner]

Give Ken Block a shot, I'm sure he would transition over to F1 fairly well:thumbsup:

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by RickDaTuner
Give Ken Block a shot, I'm sure he would transition over to F1 fairly well:thumbsup:

:rofl:

[95EagleAWD]

What about Jeff Gordon?

He's been in an F1 car before (Montoya's), he's in good shape, he knows how to win and work on a winning team..

Honestly, if they want an American driver..... I'd give him a call.

[Trini]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
it still makes you wonder tho, no words on sponsors? drivers? development team? progress? crash testing?


For real
can't help but think the yanks may spring a surprise

[Team_Mclaren]

well the USF1 site has been up since dec 22nd and watching the video seem like there have been making progress. Even thought its kinda ghetto the site does list a few partners/sponsors and details of the team.

[Chris Elyea]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
well the USF1 site has been up since dec 22nd and watching the video seem like there have been making progress. Even thought its kinda ghetto the site does list a few partners/sponsors and details of the team.
Kinda! If their Web site is any indication, their budget is pretty small.

[Chris Elyea]

US F1 to debut car in Birmingham, Alabama. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80776) Trivia: this track will host an Indy race for the first time this year. And they're this close to announcing their drivers....

[Tomaz]

American F1 sounds like the Special Olympics...

[DJ Lazy]

Originally posted by Chris Elyea
US F1 to debut car in Birmingham, Alabama. (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80776) Trivia: this track will host an Indy race for the first time this year. And they're this close to announcing their drivers....

I can't believe they have 10 drivers to choose from!! :nut: (if they want US drivers only)

[Team_Mclaren]

^^ they have announced that the drivers' search is not limited to US drivers 5 months ago... lol Obviously that's gonna fail.

They are many drivers with enough backings to pay for a seat. The only new team without a paid driver is Lotus, apparently they are pretty ballin.

also"

there is a suggestion in Gazzetta that USF1 has applied to the FIA for a derogation to miss the early fly away races and start at the Spanish Grand Prix in April. This contradicts USF1 sporting director Peter Windsor’s assertion last week that the team will definitely be in Bahrain.

Seem like either they are behind or just dont have the money to get there right now.... Campos is also looking for a buyer/investor.

[redmethods]

USF1 Nose Crash Test
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc0wFyCIDfE

[Team_Mclaren]

e0WZSTijeZM

:rofl: :rofl: OMFG so many references, its fucking awesome

check out he other days too

[A2VR6]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren


:rofl: :rofl: OMFG so many references, its fucking awesome

check out he other days too


Bahahaha that stuff is pure gold! :rofl:

[Chris Elyea]

Originally posted by A2VR6



Bahahaha that stuff is pure gold! :rofl:

Forget the Toyota rear wing, I'd buy some of those toasters!

[yellowGTS]

Seems USF1 is in a very defensive position and trying to frantically to produce a car. As for drivers, they will more than likely sign a few DTM or GP2 drivers.

A strong option for a driver with plenty of F1 experience would be to hire Villeneuve in order to get the car started and set up. He is Canadian, and not US, but still pretty close!

[Chris Elyea]

President of Argentina announces that former Renault driver Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez will drive for US F1. (http://www.usgpe.com/news/us-f1-team-announces-jose-maria-lopez-as-driver-for-2010-season.html) Reading the press release, I am left to assume that US F1 will soon change its name to Argentina F1....

[Zephyr]

Originally posted by Chris Elyea
President of Argentina announces that former Renault driver Jose Maria "Pechito" Lopez will drive for US F1. (http://www.usgpe.com/news/us-f1-team-announces-jose-maria-lopez-as-driver-for-2010-season.html) Reading the press release, I am left to assume that US F1 will soon change its name to Argentina F1....


Lopez is an accurate last name for a US team driver, after all Hispanics are starting to be the majority in the states.

[malbadon]

Really its just proof that despite all their talk they are going with whatever drivers are able to toss the most money at them.
That eliminates every US or Canadian driver, they are just looking for a couple Milka Duno's.

[Chris Elyea]

Originally posted by Zephyr
Lopez is an accurate last name for a US team driver, after all Hispanics are starting to be the majority in the states.
So they had the President of Argentina make the announcement and then issued a press release about how popular F1 is in Argentina and how many F1 drivers have come from Argentina because they want him to seem more American? That seems even more unlikely than a lot of things US F1 has said!