Star-Spangled Line-Up: Danica Patrick linked to USF1 race seat
Danica Patrick just might make it into Formula One after all. The sensational IndyCar driver/Sports Illustrated swimsuit model was previously linked to a potential seat with Honda's F1 team, but those prospects were all but completely dashed when the squad closed up shop. But now the people behind the upcoming USF1 team could give Danica the ticket she deserves.
According to USF1 technical director Ken Andserson, Danica is one of the star American drivers which the team would consider hiring when they hit the grid in 2010. Among the other possible candidates are Red Bull-backed Scott Speed, who switched over to NASCAR after leaving Scuderia Toro Rosso in F1, and budding American drivers Conor Daly and Josef Newgarden. Each F1 team fields two cars, so any of these drivers' chances are pretty good. Meanwhile, USF1 is considering renting space from Epsilon Euskadi, a team which currently races at Le Mans and in the World Series by Renault, and whose facility in Spain would prove a suitable European base for the American team. We'll know more about the initiative when USF1 is officially launched on February 24, so stay tuned. Shukran for the tip, Muhammed!
[Source: ESPN]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
hyundaifans.com 8:48AM (2/16/2009)
Goodluck to them. I pray it happens (F1 team in the US) but in these tough times and with little info released, i'll believe it when i see it.
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Richard 8:55AM (2/16/2009)
Ya know...nuttin' 'gainst Danica...but we already had an American freak show in F1. His name was Michael Andretti and his performance (and weekly cross-the-pond flight schedule) embarrassed the hell out of us.
Danica hasn't won here, she'll be unable to qualify on the 107% rule there. No, we need winners for our "national" F1 team. Jeff Gordon anyone? JPM (without doubt). Boris Said? Helio? Winners. We need winners.
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Cameron 12:52PM (2/16/2009)
It is extremely refreshing to see an AB commenter that knows who Boris Said is. I wholeheartedly agree with your comment!
AZZO45b 1:00PM (2/16/2009)
Richard: How many "freak shows" PODIUM at one of the most historic Grand Prix tracks in his last F1 race?
How many "freak shows" are supported by one of the best F1 drivers to ever live (Ayrton Senna) when he said... "Micheal was screwed"
The FIA had imposed testing limits & also had a full time test driver (due to Ron Dennis playing "hardball" with Senna on his 1993 contract). McLaren were suppose to have Renault engines & ended up with customer Fords (with a rumored power disadvantage to factory Benetton-Fords). It took all of Senna's 10 years of F1 experience to bring the best out of the MP4/8 chassis.
Michael had to learn the tracks on race weekends. He didn't stay in England due to his ex wife & the fact that Mika Hakkinen was PAID to do the testing (on tracks he knew very well...) As for your term "freak show"... perhaps it was a "horror show"? When Jacques Villeneuve & his manager were writing his F1 contracts with Williams GP... they consulted the Andretti's on their mistakes.
AZZO45b 1:14PM (2/16/2009)
Richard: A few more non Andretti related responses...
JPM= Columbian
Helio= Brazilian (sadly, with IRS problems...)
As for Borris Said (this is for you too Cameron)... How many 48 year old F1 drivers have we had in the last decade? Borris is currently 46, will turn 47 this fall & obviously would be 48 by the end of the 2010 F1 season.
The point of USF1 is to provide YOUNG AMERICANs the opportunity to compete in F1 with the support of AMERICAN companies, promoting AMERICAN driving talent. Canada has done this & so has Mexico.
Jeffrey Smith 3:34PM (2/16/2009)
Ok.... what makes them think that they will win with her. She can hardly win in Indy, and they think she can win in F1. Juan Montoya cleaned house in Indy but he was a F1 flunkie. Nothing against female racers, she just going to give a bad name to American drivers in F1.
SimbaDogg 5:52PM (2/16/2009)
yeah seriously...wtf...its not like this girl is some indy stud
she has 1 win, and 3 poles going into her 5th season. Other than rookie of the year, she really hasn't won anything big other than most popular person in indy (i wonder why). i mean, i like the girl and all, but until you can dominate in your own series (kinda like how juan montoya dominated int he days of chip ganassi target before moving up to f1, then down to nascar) there's no way you can ever be DESERVING of an f1 seat. u gotta earn it.
Tom Winch 10:04PM (2/16/2009)
The only reason Danica will be considered if US F1 becomes reality is that she has dedicated sponsors and would bring more money with her than any other American driver. Regarding Montoya, Castroneves, (or Dixon, Franchitti, etc), they are not American. In my opinion, Graham Rahal would be the best bet. Speed's a possibility, but he's already had a chance and not done well. Boris Said, as well as Jeff Gordon, are too old to be starting in F1. And Jeff Gordon already tested an F1 car at Indy years ago and said no thanks.
HotRodzNKustoms 9:00AM (2/16/2009)
I would love to see Danica in a Formula 1 seat as long as the team can be competitive.
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Craig 5:55PM (2/16/2009)
But she won't be.
RedSiBaron 9:03AM (2/16/2009)
Wow! Lets put Danica in ANOTHER series she isn't ready for. Heres a great idea; pick a driver that wins races because...oh yah, news flash, even drivers that win races don't always win races in F1 (oh Sebastian!! hows F1 going for you!?). It's the highest level in open-wheel motor-sport, with the best drivers in the world. Shouldn't that mean we send the best american drivers in the world, not the most advertised???
She should be in Atlantic Series cars IMO
end rant
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Yaroukh 9:11AM (2/16/2009)
And I belived EU will be the first one to establish mandatory gender quotes in F1.
rndmnme 9:14AM (2/16/2009)
Amen.
Danica is a marketing gimmick, not a driver.
"Look we're a progressive series, we have a woman! She also looks good in a bikini. Please watch our races"
And Scott Speed... seriously? Sure, he has an appropriate last name and seat time... but not podium time. Hell, he can't even handle Nascar.
NEXT!
AZZO45b 1:26PM (2/16/2009)
Its not like Bernie tried a "Danica" of his own... ahead of EU pressures?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanna_Amati
Galley 9:10AM (2/16/2009)
The 80-pound weight advantage would be good, but does she have the strength to handle the High-G cornering?
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g 9:58AM (2/16/2009)
F1 weighs the driver + car, so her weight wouldn't result in a lighter car.
nagmashot 11:48AM (2/16/2009)
@g
that rule was changed for the new season... all F1 drivers are on diet for 2009 season...
Insomniac 9:11AM (2/16/2009)
Deserves? What has she done to earn a seat in the top open wheel racing series in the world? She'd be hired either because she brings money (ride buyer) or the people writing the checks for the $64M budget demand she drive. If she gets a seat, talent wasn't the most important metric.
@Richard The 107% qualifying rule has been gone for a while.
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Jon Eric 9:40AM (2/16/2009)
Insomniac -
I whole heartedly agree.
Danica does NOT "deserve" a seat in F1.
One win on a oval track.
How is that relevant to F1 at all?
Ken Stamper 1:59PM (2/16/2009)
@Jon Eric
How is winning on an oval track relevant to F1?