http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/ Autoblog Comments for Marco Andretti to test-drive in F1 http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/Dec 11th 2006 10:54AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/
Eric]]>Dec 11th 2006 11:05AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/Dec 11th 2006 11:07AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/
Much as I'd like to say Go Marco, the truth is I don't really know crap about the kid. The only IRL race I ever take the time to watch is the Indy 500.

Back to to you dirkbag, Michael's failure in F1 was not because of a lack of talent, it was because of a lack of effort. Michael F1 effort was half-assed. When he arrived in F1, he was already a very wealthy man. Unlike most F1 entrants who are hungry. He did not spend nearly enough time with the team sorting the car out or even practicing. Michael had his private jet and lots of business committments stateside. Spent his time shuttling back and fort between the races and the states.

Later Dork!!]]>Dec 11th 2006 11:12AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/Dec 11th 2006 11:13AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/Dec 11th 2006 11:55AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/
Good luck to Marco, I might actually start watching F1 if he gets a seat.

]]>Dec 11th 2006 12:08PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/
Note Graham Rahal. Despite his Dad also running an IRL team this guy has chosen to drive in Champcar in 2007. All their races will be on street/ovals so he WILL get the experience needed for perhaps a test in F1 in a years time and maybe a route thru GP2, or even straight to F1 if he looks really good. He and Marco are amazingly talented both.

Another notable will stay in GA next year. Colin Braun. IRL weekend age rules cost him a driver Championship in GA in 2006. This young guy has HUGE talent IMHO. I would love to see him in OW but I fear he is Nascar headed:(

In other matters: Seb Bourdais has a REAL 3 day test for TR this week. That should be fun. Not the best team, by any means, but I am thinking this is a mini test, NOT for TR, but for RB (relacing DC?) in 2008.

Oh and Michael Andretti. Not my fav guy, because of the way he has mouthed off too often. BUT, in F1 yes he jetted in and out, just as most F1 drivers do today. BUT it wasn't his lack of effort that was the problem. Uncle Ron Dennis had hired MA and a certain Mika Hakkinnen for 1993 when Senna (multiple WDC) decided he WOULD race for McLaren. That left RD with 3 race drivers he was committed to paying. RD considered MH his future so he gave 90+% of ALL testing time to MH and not the guy completely new to F1 cars and circuits, MA. Thus MA had to learn from skimpy test miles and actual race drives. Senna even respected MA's ability to get up to speed. But with about 5 races left in the season MA got a nice Podium and RD said thanks, but go away, MH is now driving. IMHO Michael was driving on ALL circuits he had never seen b4 and w/o proper testing time given to him. Thus he did a decent job getting up to speed by racing. He deserved a full season and a second year in F1 to show his real talent. This shoddy treatment LOST F1 another terrific American. AL Unser Jr. Who at the time was crazy fast and at his peak. With MA pushed aside the door also closed on any chance Jr had of a ride. That guy won at Long Beach and incredible 7 times. Forget the fact that he lost his way towards the end of his career, in the period 1990-1995 Jr was superb.

p.s. I come from the UK in case some think otherwise.]]>Dec 11th 2006 1:03PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/Dec 11th 2006 1:15PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/Dec 11th 2006 3:56PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/11/marco-andretti-to-test-drive-in-f1/
Michael DID have a horrible time keeping his ride on the track before his belated breakout podium but, frankly, without time in a race situation in ANY series on these tracks (not to mention against any of these drivers), it shouldn't have surprised anybody. If anything, racing (open-wheel, especially) is a ballet of drivers trusting each other, knowing what the other will do, and NOT a "trading paint" exercise like NAStyCar.

Michael had the attitude (which most pointed out as negative) that you have to have when you're trying to take a 220+ mph IndyCar/F1 car to the lead. He was not warm & fuzzy but that doesn't win races. Ask Tony (I'm more than half the man I used to be) Stewart or Michael Schumacher... ]]>Jan 26th 2007 8:51PM