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Danica Patrick scores full test with Honda F1
Danica Patrick, who races for the Honda-powered Andretti-Green IRL team, has spoken of wanting to make the jump to the world's premier form of motorsport, Formula 1. Later this year, according to Honda F1 CEO Nick Fry, the team is going to give her that chance. Danica will be put into Honda's Earth Dreams F1 car in November, probably at the Barcelona or Jerez tracks in Spain, for a full-scale test. Said Fry, "We will put her into our car after the season at the latest and see how quick she is."
The recent record of IndyCar drivers succeeding on the other side of the pond is mixed. It's still too early to tell with Sebastian Bourdais at Toro Rosso, though he appears to be handling things well enough. Jacques Villeneuve did well, but Michael Andretti did not. Scott Dixon, the 2003 IRL champ and 2008 Indy 500 winner tested with Williams-BMW in 2004, but didn't get a seat. Danica's already won a place in U.S. racing history. We'll find out in November if she's fast enough to do it in Europe, as well.
[Source: Eurosport, Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
xpolarx 4:42PM (6/11/2008)
Hate to be a jerk, because I do like her -- she's aggressive and doesn't back down...and she's really attractive. But if she gets F1 seat time, it'll be for the press.
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hashiryu 2:14AM (6/12/2008)
Shucks, even the test is a publicity stunt.
Scott 12:17PM (6/12/2008)
Don't know which is accurate, Autoblog says yes she'll test Speed TV says she won't. Will someone please get it right.
Torrent 4:44PM (6/11/2008)
...
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Perry 4:44PM (6/11/2008)
If you include J.V., Don't forget Motoya.
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tbyron 6:20PM (6/11/2008)
Further, in comparing success in F1, making a distinction regarding the type of previous experience. Was it oval-only driving (IndyCar) or mixed road/oval (CART, Champ and USAC before that)? Regardless, F1 is a tough environment.
pmiddle5 11:17PM (6/11/2008)
Montoya could have won atleast one championship had he not been such a hot head and rough on cars. His aggressiveness derailed Schumacher at times but also put Montoya himself into a couple incidents..
MikeofLA 4:44PM (6/11/2008)
She is pretty hot and can drive better then any women and most men on the planet...
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tankd0g 12:40AM (6/12/2008)
She probably can't even drive as well as the other woman on the Team. Jenson Button.
wrussi 4:52PM (6/11/2008)
probably she'll get into it run a couple of laps in every race and quit b/c of tech problems or crashing. then she'll head state side to run in nascar montoya anyone?
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drunkenpublicness 4:53PM (6/11/2008)
The G forces these Formula 1 cars pull in the corners could be the deciding factor. Is she strong enough to endure a 2 hour pounding? Who knows but I am pulling for her. She just better start working on those neck muscles!
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Franz 7:09PM (6/11/2008)
There's a certain exercise that I'd be willing for her to try out on me... all in the name of strengthening her neck muscles of course...
pmiddle5 11:13PM (6/11/2008)
I wouldnt worry to much about that. While I was watching the Indy 500 they were generating peak 3.7g in and holding above 3g for quite sometime. The differences in driving an IRL car and even the slowest f1 car is incredibly different though.
Smeagle 4:59AM (6/12/2008)
Well, if she needs a 2 hour pounding, I'd be happy to oblige.
David 4:57PM (6/11/2008)
No she hasn't
http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_3673302,00.html
Quote:
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Nick Fry has denied reports that IndyCar race winner Danica Patrick is scheduled to test for Honda later this year.
According to reports in the Austrian media, Fry has agreed to test Patrick, who claimed her breakthrough Indy victory in Japan earlier this year, when the F1 season ends in November.
"We will put her into our car after the season at the latest and see how quick she is," Fry reportedly told Kronen Zeitung newspaper.
The Honda CEO, though, has denied ever saying this, stating that there are no plans in place to test Patrick.
"There has been no contact between us," he told Autosport.
"But if Danica did want to test one of our cars, we would be more than happy to speak to her about it."
___________________
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Yaroukh 5:35PM (6/11/2008)
a tip for Autoblog?
tankd0g 12:45AM (6/12/2008)
We all know she is going to end up in a Na$car. Make the money while you're still pretty, dear.
Pat 5:01PM (6/11/2008)
This really means nothing. Plenty of people test F1 cars. Last year Zanardi tested a BMW...he's an amazing driver with more dedication than anyone, but it was for publicity. Didn't Marco Andretti test last year as well?
No chance Danica is going to get a full time racing seat...probably not even as a full time test driver. Honda wants to get on the winning track and they're not going to do it with someone who's won only 1 race in a top car (for her series).
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Brad 8:51AM (6/12/2008)
Thank you, this is exactly what I've been saying all along. If she does get a test there is no way that she will get a full time ride with Honda. This is a part goodwill PR move / part congratulations for winning your first race, thing.
Tony Kanaan got a test for winning the championship, Marco Andretti got a test after he won his first race.
She's not going anywhere as long as she's a media darling here in the States.
All American Dude XX 5:05PM (6/11/2008)
oh lord....
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