The Rise and Fall of USF1 (merged)

What makes it a "US" team then?

 

Eh. I support open wheel racing in the US -- IRL.

A backmarker team filled with drivers that can't make it into NASCAR doesn't interest me.

"Luigi follow ONLY the Ferraris"

 

What drivers that cant make it in NASCAR???

Did I miss the driver announcement?

Its too bad how we think, I remember the Japanese being so proud and cheering for Super Aguri, even over Honda.

Its sad we cant show any support even at such an early stage. I guess us Americans have it all figured it.

 

Simple, any name driver already has a ride, either IRL or NASCAR. NOBODY is going to give up a NASCAR ride for a backmarker F1 team -- and any new team will be a backmarker team for quite some time.

Some young gun will take it on, but good luck building a name when 90% of the races aren't even televised on any sort of broadcast TV here.

 

That is true. Remember that chubby Andretti kid (was it Marco?) when he drove for McLaren he still lived in the US and it is thought that contributed to his failure in F1. Also the Toyota F1 team decided to base their team in Germany without any success. I think the US F1 team should have their headquarters in the US, but have the factory in the UK.
I think we'll see a few new teams in 2010 as the costs for running in F1 will be dramatically less than they are now.

 

This isn't anywhere near true. While most NASCAR drivers wouldn't be able to cross over (not because of skill, but because of size and physical fitness) I think there are several that would make the move. In recent years, one of the feeder fields for NASCAR has been open wheel series. The move to F1 opens up their potential sponsor and fan base, as well as gives them an international resume. and just because you enter F1 in a back market team doesn't mean you would always stay there if you proved yourself relative to the team you were driving for. Hell, Vettel drove for a back marker, helped them progress to the middle of the pack, and is creating the most chatter online as an up and comer that will soon be driving for a front team.

NASCAR is a great place for very talented drivers. but I don't think anyone with international exposure would argue that being one of 18 or 20 drivers in F1 isn't atleast a little more prestigious.

 

I wanted to respond to Minico and Maxorido from their conversation a couple of weeks ago. I just joined and wanted to add some information regarding Liam Kenney. Liam has not just joined the ranks of racing in the Jetta TDI Cup and he is not driving Formula Fords or something. Liam has 12 years of racing and had two years of Formula Renault including 3 wins and 12 podiums in the 2 liter car in 2007 before joining the Jetta TDI Cup at 16. Chris Nissen, Director of Motorsports of Volkswagen made the connections to put Liam back in open wheel in Europe for 2009 after seeing him win at Road Atlanta. Liam will be driving in the ADAC Formula Masters Series (powered by VW). He's testing in Spain now and has been at the top of the time sheets during testing already. He's not ready to step in an F1 seat right now but is on the development path to be ready in the next couple of years much like several other young American's. I think everyone should be getting behind these young guns and get them ready for F1. It's about time to have an American in F1. I know Liam is preparing himself in Europe for a shot at F1 right now.

 

Guess AJ allmendinger proves the point.......

 

I too would love a US F1 team. But, if I were an up and coming USA race car driver, I would still go with a top NASCAR team rather than a rookie US F1 team. You would get more exposure which would make you more money and be more likely to have a car that could win the Championship which would get you more exposure which would make you more money and so forth...

 

has anyone else noticed on the linkedin website, under the Red Bull F1 team, it list 17 people coming from South Carolina in the States? Pretty interesting...

 

Per speculation on the Speedtv forums, USF1 is going to buy out the Toro Rosso operation in 2010

 

Windsor on Wind Tunnel last night said they're making an announcement Tuesday at 12pm ET. Just in case that wasn't mentioned anywhere else.

 

I was watching Wind Tunnel last night (to see Duhamel, but that is another story), I thought Windsor made some valid points regarding the choice to build an F1 team in NC, rather than the UK.

Since the wings are now standard issue, there are two big development projects you don't have to do. Now the car must be adapted to the wings, rather than designing the wings and car, with design iteration tweaks to each ad infinitum. IMO, this simplifies the time and resources required to design a car. Many other parts of the car are more or less off the shelf as well (brakes, wheels, tires). They will almost certainly use a customer engine.

They will apparently have access to some of the best wind tunnel testing and manufacturing facilities in the world. Logistics will not be as bad as assumed, there are already many races outside Europe.

But a big reason to do it seems that Bernie must be salivating to have another crack at the US market. Indy was a big success at first, but by the Michelin debacle interest had waned. This is attacking the problem from another angle, obviously. If the North America got a GP or two, almost certainly these would be deleted Euro races.

How about one American and one Chinese driver on the team to capture the two biggest car markets in the world? Do you think that would garner any sponsorship interest?

 

Potential drivers? Danica? phhht, Scott Speed? loser, Conor Daley, at least has genetic potential.
Marco and AJ Allmendinger sound best of the names bantered about so far and each could bring $$ the table.
Perhaps pry JPM out of his cushy sedan and enroll him with Jenny Craig for a bit?

 

I'd say Graham Rahal is the best bet. His aspirations were and have always been F1. Even though his dad was an owner in the fIRL, he and his dad stuck to their guns to go to Champ Car because it was the top American Open Wheel series that raced on road courses. You don't learn real racecraft by going round and round most of the time. Now that Champ Car is dead, he has no choice, but to go circlin' as the top AOW series.

 

I'm not familiar with GR's accomplishments but he is another with some jingle in his pockets.
It would be awful to see some undercapitalized backmarker team wearing the stars and stripes.

 

one hour!

 

Will it be broadcast on SPEED?

 

Yes, it's on speed at 12pm Eastern

 

Thanks!

35mins!!

 

Graham Rahal would be an excellent choice IMHO.

 

Is anyone gonna TiVo ????? Plzzz let me know coz im at work. I cant watch it

 

I'm actually recording it on my DVR at home.

 

SPOILER FOR PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T WATCH IT.

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SPOILER FOR PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T WATCH IT.

Apparently the team will be based in the heart of NASCAR country. Also it was said that many F1 teams have used the facilities including McLaren who have electrical shops there, in Charlotte, North Carolina. A 6 billion dollar a year area of about 50 square miles. Rossi also has his name in the ring along with Scott Speed for the driver position. NASCAR drivers apparently are in the sights of the team as drivers including Kyle Bucsh and Danica Patrick has been mentioned also.

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SPOILER FOR PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T WATCH IT.

 

SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T WATCH IT.

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Mario Andretti sounds like Marco's agent and took about half of his phone call playing him up. {Grandson to Mario} Peter Windsor gives kudos to Bernie Ecclestone for his Formula One expansion and mentioned Obama briefly asking for a US race. Engineers/ mechanics can be American and they'll have a "training" facility for their race team. Graham Rahal was mentioned as a great option for a driver. The shop location being in Charlotte is good because of the US economy being in the dumpster, many good people to choose from. It's also cheaper to create an F1 team because of the depression and easier to get into F1. It sounds like the team is shooting for 2010 and can test as much as they want since they aren't in F1 yet, no restrictions.

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SPOILER FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T WATCH IT.