F1 has seen drivers who were probably worse than Danica Patrick. The trouble is that F1 is so alien to what she is used to, that it would take 2 years to bring her to level; not many team can afford that. The last few US drivers who tried F1 didn't exactly cover themselves with glory, did they, so she could only improve from that. And some other guys weren't so good in F1 either.
Not sure about that! Niko Rosberg, 6 years before his first win. Jenson Button, was it 107 Gps before his first victory? How many years Jacques Villeneuve survived after his last win, was it 8 years? There are plenty of drivers who do long career in F1 without ever winning. Sutil? De Cesaris? Warwick? Surer? etc...
Ever heard of a guy named Micheal Andretti???? Far more talent than Little Miss Sparkle Pony and was gone in 1 year's time. Don't have what it takes.....you go!!
you are correct. in terms of what you are talking about...if you are fortunate enough to get to drive for a top team...you need to perform. two of the drivers william refers to are ex world champs! they have been proven quick! the others cited ran on tier two teams largely. you bring money to a tier two team...you can stay and race in her mind, danica would not race in f-1 unless she got an invite to take massa;s seat.
Danica could run at the back of the pack and still bring in sponsorship money. That's why she would stay in F1. How many drivers are there because sponsors tote the bill? Perez for McLaren is one -- they are losing Vodefone and a Mexican Telecon is next in line. But, she doesn't want to run last so she won't.
The situation with Andretti was more complicated than that. He didn't get along with the team, he didn't like the foreign press, and he didn't like the travel.
Can't count De Crasharis - Marlboro (Italy) paid for him to be there. He somehow thought that he could commit to F1 via Concorde which was never going to work and he and Sandy never exactly fit in with the F1 crowd. Not sure quite how much she had to do with it but definitely a factor.
What is the MATTER WITH YOU PEOPLE?? Why cannot you just love DANICA??? (Sob- Sniffle - Sob) Why do you have this much HATE??? (Sniffle)
Danica saying she would never be in F1 without anyone actually IN F1 asking her if she would like to join them is the classic case of chutzpah. Just like shooting both of your parents and then complaining you're an orphan.
Point is...you don't produce.....your gone!!! McClaren is top team, you don't get on the podium....you get the gate. That simple.
Not with top teams. You either produce or you go. Top teams stay at the top because of three things....drivers that can drive, engineers that can produce technological advantages that win, technical staff that keep the team running at the top despite under funding or sponsorship. Force India is a prime example. Not nearly the funds of McClaren, Williams,Ferrari or Red Bull, but they produced. Talent is what helps you get the BIG $$$$$. Prime Example....Penske Racing in "crapwagons". Briscoe out of a ride, yet he won races. More than PSP, but none the less walking the pavement searching for a ride. Don't produce at Penske....you go. Same for any top teams in F1. Winning is the only way you keep sponsor money flowing. The more you win, the more cash comes your way.
Danica made almost $13 million in salary, winnings and merchandise in NASCAR last year and should make much more this year with a full schedule so I'm sure she is laughing all the way to the bank. Danica is only 2 spots behind JPM in the Cup points standings. I think Mika Dunno wrecked out of every race she entered Image Unavailable, Please Login
That is the whole point. Once drivers get to NASCAR, the income they derive from merchandise items, licensing, etc. is very attractive especially for high profile drivers. This is one of the many reasons we don't see drivers leaving NASCAR for other series as the income they make selling their t-shirts and trinkets far outweighs prize money. BHW
Michael Andretti was the victim of politics at McLaren; nothing to do with his driving. He was signed to replace Ayrton Senna who couldn't make his mind. McLaren had already Mikka Hakkinen on the books. When Senna finally came to terms with Ron Dennis, McLaren had then 3 drivers contracted: Senna, Andretti and Hakkinen. 3 drivers into 2 cars won't go, so to respect the terms of the contracts (and avoid being sued), Dennis decided to split the driving duties on the second car. Hakkinen would do the testing, Andretti the racing. That obviously put Michael at a disadvantage from the start; not only he was completely oveshadowed by Senna, considered the benchmark in the team, but he wasn't given time to acclimatise to the car or F1. Ron Dennis' excuse was that Michael didn't relocate in England, but kept commuting all the time. It became so bad that Andretti finally (on Mario's advice apparently) decided to leave before the end of the season. To be fair, the team had neglected him all season. So Michael Andretti's foray into F1 was a bad experience; he was sacrificed to make room for Senna who had a contractual dispute with Dennis in the pre-season and wouldn't sign. Maybe that Michael Andretti was the move that decided him to stay at McLaren, I can't say.
Another attractive quality of racing in NASCAR is the schedule and relative ease of getting back home quickly after a race to spend more time with the family. I've heard a few NASCAR drivers say the #1 reason they wouldn't move to F1 is the logistics and hardships of traveling around the F1 schedule. They would also like to drop a few races off the current NASCAR schedule but we all know that isn't going to happen. Fame, fortune and still having time to spend at home with the family isn't a bad job even for those that consistently finish mid or back in the pack. There are several new, first time Fathers in NASCAR that now know that winning isn't everything
I have a friend who is a militant Danica fan and just couldn't wait to trot Bernie's quote out to me. My reply was that Bernie's comment should be taken more as an example of his attitude toward his "show" and its drivers than as any edorsement of Danica's driving talent. She was weak on the road courses in Indycar. No amount of nacissism is going to magically vault her into F1 capability. I think she's just smart enought to know that.
bingo! but, make no mistake...the danica marketing team will find a way to build a story around the bernie comment and monetize it.
The point of the argument was about talent. Both Micheal & Senna had it. Politics aside, Michael could drive around PSP on any given day. His talent far exceeds that of the "one win wonder". Senna........he was simply in a league all his own. I do not doubt if he lived longer that Michael Schumacher would have been playing second fiddle in F1 to Senna. He & Alain Prost simply drove past everyone...particularly in the wet.
