Formula 1: USA to Field a Team. Updated, first driver selected
#41
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Guess time will tell??
#42
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the dude's 35 and a rally driver with no F1 experience, WTF is USF1 thinking if they are even remotely considering this possibility?
#43
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I'd love to see Loeb get a chance, just to see how the skill levels of a top rally driver would translate to F1.
#44
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Well, if Windsor meant she was "highest ranking" as per her OWN assessment, then he was dead right. He may have also been on to something if he was talking about TV rankings. As a driver HELL NO and Windsor is no dummy, he knows that.
#46
Big Block go VROOOM!
If we're considering North American drivers without F1 experience then how about A.J. Allmendinger? That guy seemed pretty damn fast in Atlantics and Champcar and he's currently floundering at the back of the pack in NASCAR.
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Scott Speed. Period. He knows the F1 gig already and he wasn't really that bad.
#48
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A.J. Allmendinger? He has the ego of an F1 driver, but probably not the skills. His car developing skills are lacking, but if the car is good out of the box, he can get good results. The problem with F1 is that car development is paramount.
Marco Andretti? Similar to AJ, big ego, no skills.
Scott Speed, if you want an experienced American F1 driver, that's your only choice. He knows the circuits, so that's a big plus.
Marco Andretti? Similar to AJ, big ego, no skills.
Scott Speed, if you want an experienced American F1 driver, that's your only choice. He knows the circuits, so that's a big plus.
#49
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http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/79326
Not a big surprise.
Team US F1 is unlikely to run an all-American driver line-up when it comes into Formula 1 next year, and could end up not running one in either seat.
Team principal Peter Windsor told AUTOSPORT that because of the delays caused by the late signing of the Concorde Agreement at the end of July and the lack of suitable American candidates, it is likely to employ at least one overseas driver.
"Because of all the time we've lost, our ambition to run two young Americans is looking more difficult," Windsor told AUTOSPORT.
"I'm still hoping we'll be able to run one American, but that's a tall order because there aren't many Americans out there with superlicences."
The plan to run an all-American driver line-up in the long term will remain, with US F1 hoping to fund several young drivers in junior categories next year to develop future grand prix prospects.
A1GP race-winner Jonathan Summerton, who heads into this weekend's Formula Atlantic finale at Laguna Seca with a shot at the title, has been linked to the team, which is also known to have been impressed with Indy Lights champion JR Hildebrand.
"If we can't fulfil that [the plan to run an American] in 2010, we will certainly put a programme together for young Americans," said Windsor.
"We're making sure we're disciplined to put some money aside to help them with what they are doing whether it's Formula BMW in Europe, Formula Ford 2000 in the States or even GP2.
"GP2 is expensive, but I'm hoping we can find enough money to do that if that's what needs to be done."
Windsor is keen for US F1 to run at least one driver with experience next year, with both Alex Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa linked with the team, and is confident that there are plenty of available options.
"There is a huge argument for running one experienced driver to give us that leg up into year one," said Windsor. "You could ask why that wasn't always the argument because it's a nice feeling for a new team to have two young drivers who grow at the same rate.
"But that required more downtime that we didn't have. It will be interesting when the music stops how many of the experienced guys are standing.
"It's a buyer's market. Let's hope that really talented drivers like Anthony Davidson, Jamie Green and Gary Paffett all get a chance in F1 because it's sad that so many talented drivers haven't had a chance."
Team principal Peter Windsor told AUTOSPORT that because of the delays caused by the late signing of the Concorde Agreement at the end of July and the lack of suitable American candidates, it is likely to employ at least one overseas driver.
"Because of all the time we've lost, our ambition to run two young Americans is looking more difficult," Windsor told AUTOSPORT.
"I'm still hoping we'll be able to run one American, but that's a tall order because there aren't many Americans out there with superlicences."
The plan to run an all-American driver line-up in the long term will remain, with US F1 hoping to fund several young drivers in junior categories next year to develop future grand prix prospects.
A1GP race-winner Jonathan Summerton, who heads into this weekend's Formula Atlantic finale at Laguna Seca with a shot at the title, has been linked to the team, which is also known to have been impressed with Indy Lights champion JR Hildebrand.
"If we can't fulfil that [the plan to run an American] in 2010, we will certainly put a programme together for young Americans," said Windsor.
"We're making sure we're disciplined to put some money aside to help them with what they are doing whether it's Formula BMW in Europe, Formula Ford 2000 in the States or even GP2.
"GP2 is expensive, but I'm hoping we can find enough money to do that if that's what needs to be done."
Windsor is keen for US F1 to run at least one driver with experience next year, with both Alex Wurz and Pedro de la Rosa linked with the team, and is confident that there are plenty of available options.
"There is a huge argument for running one experienced driver to give us that leg up into year one," said Windsor. "You could ask why that wasn't always the argument because it's a nice feeling for a new team to have two young drivers who grow at the same rate.
"But that required more downtime that we didn't have. It will be interesting when the music stops how many of the experienced guys are standing.
"It's a buyer's market. Let's hope that really talented drivers like Anthony Davidson, Jamie Green and Gary Paffett all get a chance in F1 because it's sad that so many talented drivers haven't had a chance."
Not a big surprise.
#50
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Im surprised Bernie hasn't made it all but impossible for a us driver to race, in fact im surprised that there will be a US team at all
#52
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Scott Speed?
#54
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Wonder if he still has a Superlicense or even a desire to race F1 again after the screwin' he got while there?
#55
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Peter Windsor has hit back at and firmly denied reports that USF1 will not be ready for the 2010 season because it is not yet crash-testing parts for its car.
The reports also said Windsor, the new Charlotte-based team's sporting director as well as a Formula One journalist, has left the door open to the possibility of selling the official team entry to another outfit.
"The report seemed to come out of Switzerland/Germany, the land of BMW-Sauber," he told the online magazine GPWeek, referring to the fact that the Hinwil based team has not yet been granted a guaranteed berth on the 2010 grid.
Windsor said "several" components for the 2010 car have been "successfully" crash-tested, and that more tests will take place this and next month.
He denied he recently voted in favor of having the ability to sell USF1's entry, and also shed doubt on the context of quotes attributed to Ross Brawn, where the Brackley based team's boss seemed to question whether USF1 will be ready to debut next March.
"Back in the real world, we're re-furbishing some trucks we've just bought from Brawn," said Windsor.
"As for USF1 Team, I can only repeat what Ken (Anderson) and I have been saying ever since we signed the Concorde Agreement: our slot is not for sale under any circumstances and we will be racing, and giving it 100 percent, from Bahrain onwards."
The reports also said Windsor, the new Charlotte-based team's sporting director as well as a Formula One journalist, has left the door open to the possibility of selling the official team entry to another outfit.
"The report seemed to come out of Switzerland/Germany, the land of BMW-Sauber," he told the online magazine GPWeek, referring to the fact that the Hinwil based team has not yet been granted a guaranteed berth on the 2010 grid.
Windsor said "several" components for the 2010 car have been "successfully" crash-tested, and that more tests will take place this and next month.
He denied he recently voted in favor of having the ability to sell USF1's entry, and also shed doubt on the context of quotes attributed to Ross Brawn, where the Brackley based team's boss seemed to question whether USF1 will be ready to debut next March.
"Back in the real world, we're re-furbishing some trucks we've just bought from Brawn," said Windsor.
"As for USF1 Team, I can only repeat what Ken (Anderson) and I have been saying ever since we signed the Concorde Agreement: our slot is not for sale under any circumstances and we will be racing, and giving it 100 percent, from Bahrain onwards."
#56
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We will have to start to see some cars real soon if its to be.
#57
The sizzle in the Steak
I hope they do field a team.
#58
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Personally I'm going to really miss the most intelligent pitlane reporter there is but looking forward to see how well his new team can do.
#59
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I used to like Peter Windsor, but around the middle of this season, I felt that he started to change. It was also around the time that he was dropped for the post race interviews, as he was no longer viewed as an impartial journalist.
#60
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http://www.usgpe.com/
Still almost nothing on the web page besides a generic image. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a scam.
Still almost nothing on the web page besides a generic image. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a scam.
#61
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Well if it's a scam it's a very expensive one-the FIA acknowledged receipt of their $400,000.00 entry fee the other day.
#63
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A ticket in to the F1 world championship is probably worth more than $400k if they can flip the ticket to Sauber/Qabak or Aston Martin/Prodrive.
#64
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For what it's worth, check out the websites for the other new entrants, they aren't much better.
http://lotusf1racing.my/
http://www.camposmeta.com/
http://www.manorgp.com/
I like the Campos one where they use an old Lucky Strike Honda photo.
How are these teams going to attract sponsors when their web pages look like ? No marketing budgets at all? At least hire some interns from local colleges.
http://lotusf1racing.my/
http://www.camposmeta.com/
http://www.manorgp.com/
I like the Campos one where they use an old Lucky Strike Honda photo.
How are these teams going to attract sponsors when their web pages look like ? No marketing budgets at all? At least hire some interns from local colleges.
#65
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Driver selected
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...onfirms-lopez/
F1: USF1 Confirms Lopez
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
01/25/2010
Charlotte, NC
As was speculated this past weekend, late Monday the USF1 team officially confirmed Jose Maria Lopez as one of its drivers for its inaugural 2010 season.
Jose Maria Lopez is a former GP2 driver who has recently been racing in his native Argentina’s touring car championship. (Photo: LAT Photographic) » More Photos
"Securing 'Pechito' Lopez for our debut season has been a goal of ours for a long time," said US F1 Team Executive Vice President Peter Windsor on the team’s website. "We've been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 and we're thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One.”
In late November it was reported that Lopez, 26, had penned a deal conditional on the completion of his $8 million sponsor package. The delay in the finalization of the contract was reported to be in order to organize bank guarantees to cover Lopez's sponsor funds.
“Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader,” Windsor said. “The most revealing thing about his character was how he handled the disappointment of not racing for Renault after three years of testing with them in F1. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for himself, he returned to Argentina and totally dominated the local scene, winning 38 races and three championships. He became a major star as a result and, in turn, the Argentine nation – a country where F1 is second only to soccer - has got behind him."
As proof of his country’s adoration, Lopez's USF1 contract was officially announced by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, in the Casa Rosada (Government House) in Buenos Aires Monday afternoon.
"The
Argentine government is very happy to get behind this exciting new project,” the President said. “We wish Jose Maria and the team all the best for the 2010 season."
Lopez is a former GP2 driver, who has recently been racing in his country's touring car championship. He's also tested for the Renault F1 team in the recent past.
http://formula-one.speedtv.com/artic...onfirms-lopez/
F1: USF1 Confirms Lopez
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
01/25/2010
Charlotte, NC
As was speculated this past weekend, late Monday the USF1 team officially confirmed Jose Maria Lopez as one of its drivers for its inaugural 2010 season.
Jose Maria Lopez is a former GP2 driver who has recently been racing in his native Argentina’s touring car championship. (Photo: LAT Photographic) » More Photos
"Securing 'Pechito' Lopez for our debut season has been a goal of ours for a long time," said US F1 Team Executive Vice President Peter Windsor on the team’s website. "We've been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 and we're thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One.”
In late November it was reported that Lopez, 26, had penned a deal conditional on the completion of his $8 million sponsor package. The delay in the finalization of the contract was reported to be in order to organize bank guarantees to cover Lopez's sponsor funds.
“Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader,” Windsor said. “The most revealing thing about his character was how he handled the disappointment of not racing for Renault after three years of testing with them in F1. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for himself, he returned to Argentina and totally dominated the local scene, winning 38 races and three championships. He became a major star as a result and, in turn, the Argentine nation – a country where F1 is second only to soccer - has got behind him."
As proof of his country’s adoration, Lopez's USF1 contract was officially announced by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, in the Casa Rosada (Government House) in Buenos Aires Monday afternoon.
"The
Argentine government is very happy to get behind this exciting new project,” the President said. “We wish Jose Maria and the team all the best for the 2010 season."
Lopez is a former GP2 driver, who has recently been racing in his country's touring car championship. He's also tested for the Renault F1 team in the recent past.
#66
Engineer
Do these guys have their act together? When will we see their car?
#67
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#69
I'm the Firestarter
So much for US team with US drivers... What happened to Scott Speed?
#70
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#72
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sacre bleu
Jacques Villeneuve could return to Formula 1 this year if the Stefan GP team gains an entry to compete in the championship, AUTOSPORT has learned.
The 1997 F1 world champion is understood to have agreed terms to join the Serbian squad, which is still hoping to race in Formula 1 this year despite not having an entry, and an announcement could come as early as next week.
Sources close to the team have told AUTOSPORT that the 38-year-old Canadian would likely be joined by Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima with Indian Karun Chandhok serving as a reserve driver.
Chandhok wrote on his Twitter account, however, that nothing had been signed yet.
"To clarify, at the moment there is no agreement with Stefan GP," he wrote. "Trust me, if I have an F1 deal signed and confirmed, I would shout it out proudly from the roof tops."
Villeneuve has not raced in Formula 1 since competing for BMW in 2006, although the Canadian has admitted he was actively seeking an option to return to grand prix racing.
The former Williams, BAR and Renault is understood to be training in the Austrian Alps and has remained active since leaving grand prix racing - having participated in two Le Mans 24 Hours races for Peugeot and an aborted NASCAR campaign.
Stefan GP, who has bought the rights to use Toyota's design for this year, is scheduled to test at the Portimao circuit at the end of the month. The team has also sent equipment both to Bahrain and Malaysia in case it receives an entry to race.
Although the Serbian squad does not have an entry, doubts still surround the future of the US F1 and Campos Meta projects, both of which are listed in the 2010 line-up but are yet to launch their cars or finalise their driver line-up.
The 1997 F1 world champion is understood to have agreed terms to join the Serbian squad, which is still hoping to race in Formula 1 this year despite not having an entry, and an announcement could come as early as next week.
Sources close to the team have told AUTOSPORT that the 38-year-old Canadian would likely be joined by Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima with Indian Karun Chandhok serving as a reserve driver.
Chandhok wrote on his Twitter account, however, that nothing had been signed yet.
"To clarify, at the moment there is no agreement with Stefan GP," he wrote. "Trust me, if I have an F1 deal signed and confirmed, I would shout it out proudly from the roof tops."
Villeneuve has not raced in Formula 1 since competing for BMW in 2006, although the Canadian has admitted he was actively seeking an option to return to grand prix racing.
The former Williams, BAR and Renault is understood to be training in the Austrian Alps and has remained active since leaving grand prix racing - having participated in two Le Mans 24 Hours races for Peugeot and an aborted NASCAR campaign.
Stefan GP, who has bought the rights to use Toyota's design for this year, is scheduled to test at the Portimao circuit at the end of the month. The team has also sent equipment both to Bahrain and Malaysia in case it receives an entry to race.
Although the Serbian squad does not have an entry, doubts still surround the future of the US F1 and Campos Meta projects, both of which are listed in the 2010 line-up but are yet to launch their cars or finalise their driver line-up.
Villeneuve
#73
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Doesn't look good, their website is down. It was working yesterday.
#75
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#76
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damn.
#77
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According to Lopez, there are talks now to merge USF1 and Campos. One thing that is for sure, with only 15 days to go before first practice at Bahrain to start the season, there is no chance that an American built car will be showing up at the track.
They should just have bought the Toyota, but I guess that also requires money.
They should just have bought the Toyota, but I guess that also requires money.
#78
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Race director and F1 technical department head Charlie Whiting is believed to be visiting the US F1 facility in Charlotte Wednesday morning, having traveled to the USA Tuesday.
Although FIA sources would not confirm his presence, and trips to F1 teams are part of his normal schedule, it’s assumed that Whiting is paying the visit in order to find out exactly what the state of play is at the beleaguered team.
USF1 boss Ken Anderson recently asked the FIA for dispensation for the team to appear at the fifth race of the season in Barcelona. The governing body has recently issued a clarification insisting that teams cannot miss any races, despite suggestions that the Concorde Agreement allows teams to skip three events.
Whiting will be able to determine whether the team has any chance of competing even by Spain, and will presumably submit a report to that effect back to FIA President Jean Todt.
In the past ACCUS boss Nick Craw – who has been keen to see the project take off – has visited the team on behalfof the FIA.
Although FIA sources would not confirm his presence, and trips to F1 teams are part of his normal schedule, it’s assumed that Whiting is paying the visit in order to find out exactly what the state of play is at the beleaguered team.
USF1 boss Ken Anderson recently asked the FIA for dispensation for the team to appear at the fifth race of the season in Barcelona. The governing body has recently issued a clarification insisting that teams cannot miss any races, despite suggestions that the Concorde Agreement allows teams to skip three events.
Whiting will be able to determine whether the team has any chance of competing even by Spain, and will presumably submit a report to that effect back to FIA President Jean Todt.
In the past ACCUS boss Nick Craw – who has been keen to see the project take off – has visited the team on behalfof the FIA.
Peter Windsor
Nick Craw
What an embarrassment.
#79
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not so sure this is USF1's fault. I heard they got boned out of a large sponsorship deal. Very tragic for sure-I really wanted to see this happen.
#80
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Still boggles the mind that USF1 was given an entry when real teams like Prodrive and Lola were denied.