HONDA Serious About F1 Test For Danica Patrick

(from autosport)


IndyCar race winner Danica Patrick has set her sights on a Formula One test, with Honda Racing confirming they would be interested in running the Andretti-Green Racing driver.

Patrick's maiden victory at Motegi has prompted fresh speculation about her future, with Honda being an obvious candidate to consider her because the Japanese manufacturer supply her engines.

Speaking to this week's Autosport, Patrick confirmed that she was interested in a run in an F1 car, but only if it was a serious test.

"Every driver would love to drive a Formula One car at some point in their life, so yeah," she said. "I don't think there's anything wrong with a real, proper test.

"I was asked to do a demonstration lap at Indy in 2005, and I said, 'No way. You're making me a show. That's embarrassing.' But I would say that a real test is absolutely something I would do."

Honda Racing F1 CEO Nick Fry has admitted that his team would seriously consider running Patrick for a test, although made it clear no discussions have taken place about the matter.

"We haven't instigated anything, but if Danica wanted to be test driver then we'd be more than happy to talk about

 

Anyone can test, they use to test monkeys in spacecraft in the early days. So I guess they can let Danica go for a drive.

 

Zing!!!

 

She wins one race, and she gets a test? Wow.

CW

 

Weight limits in F1 are combined driver and car, right? Still, being able to put the forty or so pounds of depleted uranium where you want it in the car might give them an advantage...

 

Some people don't win a crap and get a test, what's new?

 

So let her drive the bunny eared thing around a circuit a few times, good PR stunt anyways, might get a few more US people paying a bit of attention to F1. I can't legitimately see her ever getting a race seat based on talent tho.

 

where's Casey Putsch in all this? He needs to protest!

 

Better get some spares ready...

 

Yeah, he's got more wins than Danica!

 

While there has been a trend moving away from pay to play drivers (thank god!), it wouldn't be the first time a driver's got a ride based on something other than talent. That being said I doubt she'll ever do anything other than test in F1. There are too many younger, better drivers than her in GP2 and other ranks including the IRL right now, to ignore.

 

+1, its just good PR for Honda

 

They let Marco test the Honda car and he is worse than Danica, why not.

 

Pure PR move. Let her drive the car around the track and pay her a few bucks and get $$millions$$ in brand awareness in return. Sounds like a marketer's dream PR stunt.

 

What happened to our friend in the 308?

 

Last I heard he was in contract negotiations to drive for the Scuderia next year

 

Danica is a pretty face, and not too shabby behind the wheel.. F1 would really benefit in the USA by giving the Americans someone to watch that is exciting. i think its a fantastic idea

 

With Danica in F1, we would definitely get our Grand Prix back.

 

Maybe after they sign her, she can do a Vanity Fair photoshoot showing her new "tramp stamp" tatoo of the Honda logo on her backside. That alone must be worth several millions in sponsorship money, don't you think?

 

Sarah Fisher got to test the McLaren a few years back and she never won a race other than that Toyota Atlantic stuff. Talk about going straight to the top for a test vs. Danica going to Honda, which is junk for yet another year.

 

how about letting her drive for Super Aguri (Honda) ? They can't do any worse.. right?

 

Does that team even exist anymore?

 

She can test all she wants. She'll never get a super license.
Bernie trusts no-one shorter than himself.

 

Like hell he will protest............he's already scheduled his sex-change operation!

 

To quote Bernie E regarding Danica "You know, I've got one of these wonderful ideas that women should be all dressed in white like all the other domestic appliances."

Might be a while before we see a women in F1 if that point of view is prevalent throughout the paddock. Then again, Bernie could just be joking.