YouTube and Villeneuve rumored on board as USF1 gears up for October launch
Now that the USF1 team has received the go-ahead from the FIA as one of the three new teams to join the grid next year, the boys in Charlotte are working away in preparation of an anticipated launch of their first chassis before the end of October. According to team principal Ken Anderson, the design is almost finalized, and they're just waiting for $5 million in machinery and the specs on the new Cosworth engine they'll be running to arrive before they can begin manufacturing. Currently the team employs some 20 staff, but have another 20 to 30 arriving next month.
Aside from the chassis itself, USF1 is said to be evaluating several logistical options. First is its European base, for which the team is considering either the Paul Ricard or Aragon circuits in Spain. Meanwhile YouTube is reportedly in the mix as a main sponsor after co-founder and chief executive Chad Hurley has reportedly met with team executives. And though Danica Patrick may have ruled out an F1 debut with the team, former world champion Jacques Villeneuve is tipped to fill one of the seats on the strength of his developing experience.
[Source: Autosport and F1-Live]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ben 6:35PM (7/22/2009)
they know he's canadian, right?
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Steve 6:43PM (7/22/2009)
according to the team itself, they arent interested in him:
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/090722232452.shtml
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Yaroukh 7:15PM (7/22/2009)
no wonder
Scott 6:40PM (7/22/2009)
I hope this is not true...I am so looking forward to an American driver line-up. I am going to hold my disappointment until it is finalized. But I do feel a little bummed that this may be possible.
BTW USF1, when are you going to have a website up giving us a little more insight into the new team???? And how about some USF1 merchandise to go with it? Hmmmm....."YouTube"......O.K. , how about a website?
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David 7:54PM (7/22/2009)
Just which driver from the U. S. would you suggest for the team? Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti, Scott Speed?
After all Canada is a part of North America, eh? And I guess by that standard they could accept a second driver from South America, si?
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Yaroukh 8:48PM (7/22/2009)
Canada might be a part of North America but the name of the team is not "NorthAmericaF1", it is "USF1".
Redline 10:18AM (7/23/2009)
Scott Speed didn't do that well in F1. I wish USF1 lots of luck, they are gonna need it. This is a tough sport.
ducbil 11:13PM (7/22/2009)
That would be a big mistake. I don't care where he is from. I could develop a chassis better than he could.
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Cameron 7:20PM (7/22/2009)
RANDY POBST!
RANDY POBST!
RANDY POBST!
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Josh 7:57PM (7/22/2009)
It needs to be an American driver in at least one of the seats. There are far to many good open wheel drivers out there right now that nobody knows about that deserve a ride.
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CB23 7:58PM (7/22/2009)
There are very few Americans who would last in F1, and even less that have experience in a near-F1 or F1 caliber car. Marco Andretti and Scott Speed both have experience in F1; Marco with testing for Honda/BAR, Scott racing for Scuderia Torro Rosso for 1 and a half seasons. Jacques Villeneuve would be a logical choice because he has a ton of experience in F1, and isn't really doing anything after the Spa 24 and the NASCAR race at Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve. Sure hes past his prime, Fisi has passed his prime too and he is still a threat to score some points at Force India.
You never Know...
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JRM 9:06PM (7/22/2009)
maybe villeneuve can work as a test driver, or some kind of "consultant" role on behalf of the drivers (the way Jackie Stewart would do), but his days as a full season driver are over.
Marco Andretti seems like a natural choice. and I would opt for Justin Wilson as a 2nd driver for his European experience. That said, Graham Rahal would be a better choice to partner with Wilson as they've already been teammates.
...It could also be another way for Sebastien Bourdais to get back in a F1 car.
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Jsams4131 10:02PM (7/22/2009)
Villeneuve would be one hell of an advisor for USF1...but just to remind anyone who keeps up with F1 idk if it was a blog post here or on another site where youtube and USF1 denied claims of talking...so they could be doing the same with villeneuve.
I know a lot of people want a top US driver to be at the helm of their 2010 chasis...but I think that if they want to jump right in with the big boys...picking a non-US driver would most likely be done with more success.
Mike 10:25PM (7/22/2009)
Villeneuve is not worth signing. He was consistently the slowest driver on the team during his time in the Peugeot 908 and if he can't handle an LMP, how would be be able to be competitive in an F1 car again??
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Jsams4131 11:05PM (7/22/2009)
What are you talking about? He is a former 1997 Formula 1 Champion.. -_-
Jsams4131 11:11PM (7/22/2009)
I thought you meant as an advisor...As a driver I don't think that it may be the best idea. there are many young and talented drivers worth seeking before villeneuve as a main driver.
autoflogger 7:41AM (7/23/2009)
Villy in the seat? Way to fail, USF1.
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MikeInNC 8:51AM (7/23/2009)
This would be a BIG mistake unless he's going to be a test driver.
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Eddie Janikakis 9:27AM (7/23/2009)
Development experience? Jacques Villeneuve? Please, does anybody remember his BAR years? That car went nowhere. Towards the end he was outqualified and outraced by Jenson Button. How about that race he had with Renault? Disastrous. His stint at Sauber? Abysmal. Please Jacques, just fade away.
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Ian 10:43AM (7/23/2009)
The problem for USF1 is that they have to have a driver who can develop an F1 car if they are to make any progress and to do that with any speed you need a very special driver and one with F1 experience. Trouble I cant think of a single American driver that could fill those shoes, for a start with the exception of Scott Speed I cant think of an American driver with any recent F1 experience.
As a Brit I'd like to see Anthony Davidson in one of the seats, and since I think Scott got a rough deal giving him a second chance in the second seat would be good. Failing that I think Bourdais should be given a better shot at F1 than he's had at Toro Roso so he would get my vote too.
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