The Rise and Fall of USF1 (merged)

UK IIRC. He had UK-based ops until fairly recently (see prev. post).

 

Actually the British shop was a small part (bigger back in the day) and not too recently. And since RP understands the hole in the bucket funding for F1 in this economy there are fewer than ever backers.

 

Well the German engine McClaren is headquartered in the UK as is BMW along with the Japanese company Honda...the Japanese Toyota is Headquartered in Germany...if the economy continues as it is Ferrari will move to Dubai...

 

What a bunch of d!@ks! Somebody has the stones to put together a US F1 team and here are us F-Chatters criticizing them before it even actually is announced. If we can't even drum up some wishful thinking on here, I can see why F1 has such a hard time in the states! I say you go Peter Windsor! Awesome News!!!

 

So far, all that exists of this team is a $5 website placeholder. Don't get your panties in a bunch--what looks like criticism is more likely the cynical eye of those who have seen it before, but to no avail. Looking at it logically it's a strange time to announce this 1) because the season starts in a month (I know it's for 2010, but the focus of the sport is on 2009 right now) and 2) this is the least likely of times to find the kind of funding necessary to launch an F1 team. I'm sure everyone here would love nothing more than for this to be a reality and ready to go. But we've come closer than this on occasion only to have it die on the vine. And there aren't a lot of fruitful vines right now.

 

Don't want to thread jack, but let's clarify:

Penske Cars. UK - nearly 100 employees, built ALL of Penske's CART cars up to 1999. There were still 50 employees in 2005, albeit not doing much. Nonetheless, it was a significant cog of his racing team at it's height.

Forget the hole in the bucket funding - Penske Corp. is one of the largest companies in the US. Heck, the Automotive Group (excludes the Truck Rental and other smaller entities in his portfolio) is a Fortune 200 company! Currently, his IRL folly is a black hole - so he would know what he's getting into.

However, still not my point. Penske is only brought up to show that it COULD be done. Not saying it WILL be done, nor that Penske is considering it. I am pointing out that a USF1 team isn't such a fantasy, there are plenty of people that have the nuts and the money to do it.

Now, let's get to reality - a press release and a website does not a F1 team make. Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson are formidable names, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

I'll believe it when I see it, but it would be fantastic for F1. I wonder who the drivers would be, Andretti and Rahal jr? Perhaps a return of Scott Speed? LOL!

 

BMW is based in Switzerland at what was the Sauber facility at Hinwil although a good deal of the engine stuff will be done in Munich. Toyota Motorsport (TRD) has been in Germany forever - its where all the WRC operations were based so no surprise that they went there & Honda bought out BAR which was Tyrell so a UK based operation originally.

Ferrari had a design offie in the UK when John Barnard was in charge of designing the cars, but it wasn't a success.

 

Does anyone think that a viable F1 team can operate out of the U.S. ?

 

No No! It's got to be Casey and Danica. Then they develop a thing for each other but it dosen't work out and they end up fighting it out on the track and then there's a movie that flops and they end up in a trailer park in Medina.

I don't wish this on anyone. Just the first thing that went through my mind.

 

How could I be so naive and forget about Danica

 

US F1 and not even a mention ......
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Oh no. I didn't forget. This is over my head as I speak. Sorry for the pic. It's got cabernet on it. This was a revisit pic made in 2002. I like your's better. Mine is sighed by DG.
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I wish the effort well but am curious what sponsorship they are using to bankroll this. That should be big money that wants global presence and isn't scared of their current balance sheet.

According to other reports they want this to be all American with the headquarters in Nascar land. Interesting point about the Nascar land is that somewhere, may have been on F-Chat, that the Narcar engines are getting the same specific hp out of the iron lumps as the exotic F1 engines. Maybe some of those "good ol' boys" know something.

Jeff

 

I love the idea. Can't wait to hear more.

 

very interesting... i just hope it doesnt end up being an embarrassment.

i just wish they would bring the US and Canada GP's back! its a shame

 

Isn't it obvious? The US Government will sponsor the car. Check the last stimulus package, there's a billion going to starting an F1 team. It's just under the water park for some state we don't care about.

Sorry, I couldn't help it.

 

I disagree. Look at toyota. Biggest budget of them all and not very succesful. And they have had some good drivers Ralf Schumacher (Ok, not even worthy of licking his brothers shoes but he wasnt particularly bad. just bigheaded.) and Trulli. Here and there a good result but for the money pumped in to it it remains unimpressive to me.

Since its a USA team, they are going to want at least one USA driver. But im sorry, there aren't any I know of at the moment which would stand out in F1. I've seen andretti mentioned again in the thread but have you seen him in A1GP?

Casey Putsch. I know he did a season of Indy cars and after that NASCAR, correct?

In champcars both doornbos and bourdais dominated the US drivers. And bourdais wasnt impressive in F1 last year (bar 1 or two races) and we havent seen enough of doornbos in F1 (even though he does a lot better than andretty in A1).

 

You mean besides Jeff Gordon?

 

Never said they'd be successful, I said they could make the grid. BIIIG difference!

Put a US driver in a competitive car, he's going to win. You can't tell me that Bourdais moving from CC to F1 is an indicator - he's not with an ultra competitive team (yes, I know Vettel won a race, Bourdais also nearly had a podium and he's been re-hired). If Scott Speed is driving for Ferrari, he's going to win a race at some point.

The real question here is if a team -- ANY team -- can be successful out of the gate. I have a hard time believing that it could be (as Bas points out - Toyota is a great example of failure).

 

Tony Stewart would be an excellent F1 Driver if he lost some weight.

 

As would I. If I lost some years and gained some talent.

 

I've always wanted a US F1 team. Cadillac powered FTW! Before anyone goes ooohh not happening I know. GM's doesn't have cash and blah blah blah. I just think it would be awesome to see the wreath and crest in F1.

 

You have my vote for .........................
















Max's job....

 

Scott "No"Speed was a joke in F1. Give Marco a chance. He looked good at the 12 Hrs Sebring. Heck at least let him burn up a few laps on the test track and see. He can't do any worst that his pop.