As I stated before I have a TV and it showed me Speed DNFing a lot in the STR and Vettel winning Monza in the STR. Driving against Speed or Vettel would tell me absolutely nothing. I know both of them could drive circles around me and impress the hell out of me. As I also said before: You need to be a racing God to make it to a super license and F1. But on the Olymp, there is only one Zeus. Of course they could and I don't quite get it why we haven't seen a trully good US driver in F1 since Mario Andretti. Just given the numbers of Americans and the many venues we have in this country, it should have happened by now, but no. People mentioned the lack of interest of US Americans to move to Europe to learn it and that's probably one of the reasons. Roger Benoit mentioned the number. In case you wonder who he is: Has been covering F1 for about 50 years now for Swiss Blick (the paper is boulevard, but Benoit isn't). He is best buddy with Ecclestone and certainly knows a thing or two. If he thinks it is baloney and openly states that, rest assured it is. Besides: Windsor is a wheeler/dealer.
Hehe, I see I'm in good company with my faulty assessment of Button. Me too I thought he had what it takes, but no. Maybe he really did, but screwed it up by constantly picking the wrong team (which of course is also part of the "having it", as Prost showed us). And on here people think he got an unfair deal from F1. If anything it was the opposite: Red Bull's talent search was in desperate need to come up with a positive result and so he was pushed into F1. Maybe a bit too soon for his own good.
+1 I've always felt that a deal from F1 is a deal from F1. Take it and do with it as you can. To those who feel Speed got a bad deal, was it worse than Senna in a Toleman? Schumacher in a Jordan? Shut up and drive, make the most of the opportunity and show the world something. No team is going to waste time and money bringing in a driver with the intention of them failing. Granted, some drivers are "less deserving" talent-wise but bring money that earns a ride. But to talk nonsense about Scott Speed getting a bad deal blah blah blah is a waste of time. He sucks, case closed. If you disagree, show me your list of F1 races where the announcers mentioned "Scott Speed has really been impressive today."
+1 By that logic, the only one who got a good deal was Hamilton. I can't think of any other WDC who started in a first class car.
Jacques Villeneuve, Williams 1996-7. Jackie Stewart, BRM 1966. and a few that don't fully qualify because they didn't do a full season from the beginning: Emerson Fittipaldi, Lotus 1970, but only halfway through the season; won USGP that year. Mario Andretti, 1968; only one race though started it on pole; didn't do a full season until '75. Jody Schekter, McLaren 1972, but only a few races until '74. Paul M
Note to myself: Do your history research before claiming anything. Thanks! I KNEW that had to come up *sigh*
Well while were at it : Are there any other drivers that entered F1 and put a 2 x WDC team mate in there rear view mirrors. And a bit on topic.. sorry if been posted before http://www.cbssports.com/autoracing/story/11382104
Don't beat yourself up over it. My F1 history is on very thin legs when it comes to pre 1979 (basically the year I started to get serious about it). It is on my to do list for retirement. Seriously. I got all the tapes/DVDs and books money can buy. Just need the time to study it all. Folks like Macca and Isobel (who unfortunately deleted her own good history laden post) can keep us straight meanwhile. If nothing else I'm reliable on pointing out the Farina thing.
You wouldn't want to see more of this? Are you crazy? Go to her website danicaracing.com and look at the May 2008 press release about her possibly driving in F1. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Taz silly me forgetting the anti-freeze ads. How dare me. I agree if a test is given your plan would be the way to go. Sorry for the late reply. New job, moving etc.
I just can't get over why they chose to shoot her with a Cobra replica??? This is Danica Patrick for goodness sakes...nobody would pony up their real Cobra for the shoot? It looks like a Backdraft.
One nice thing about Danica is there is not an ounce of fat anywhere on her. She is a fitness freak and it shows. Even if she were not a competitive driver, she is drop-dead gorgeous. Would love to see her drive in F1. What a show that would be. Plus she is about the same size (almost) as several F1 drivers and watching her beat up on one would be the greatest spectacle in racing. Would not take long to find out if she were competitive in a car. She is definitely competitive in a bikini. Taz Terry Phillips
I wouldn't be too sure about that. They photoshopped out her tattoo "tramp stamp" above her butt. It wouldn't be surprised what else the computer took care of.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/feb/17/danica-patrick-formula-one-usa I just blew chow all over the screen.
You guys crack me up. We have some great lady fighter pilots now and very few of you could hack the discipline required or the 9 "g"s. Do have to admit not many of them (none) pose in bikinis for SI, but several are qualified, just not interested. Taz Terry Phillips
I love it when people freak out about non-news and speculative mushmouthing by know-nothings in the media...
+1 I'd love to see a US team in F1, I'd love to see the USGP back and I'd love to see Danica in F1, but to call her the savior of F1 is simply ridiculous. Plus I hate it when journos with nothing better to do, beat up on F1 about the financial crisis. F1 is a shining example on how to deal with a new environment and to adapt quickly. If anything F1 will become more interesting than ever because of the recession. I can't believe such drivel was written by a British newspaper. They of all people should know better.
She's actually "from" a little town near Blackhawk Farms Raceway in northern Illinois. And, stating that she got her "debut Indycar victory" in Japan rather implies that she won on her first time out. Far from it. It just exposes this author's knowlege of the sport.
That reminds me of one of my fav movie lines from "I spy": "He is actually from Iowa." A scene where a James Bond wannabe hops into his 360 and thunders off.
