That does make great commercial sense. Marco will wilt under the pressure. Too much of his mother in that kid. Danica can deal with it, though.
Actually, I was thinking of Group 7 or Can-Am, or other venues that don't have the wheels hanging out in the airflow, disrupting the aero. I still have fond memories of getting the front of that old team '56 Chevy BelAire several feet off the ground on burnout runs. (We had more fun working on the car than running the quarter with it.) But that was a really REALLY long time ago, back when the gravel was cooling. F1 was the "pinnacle of motorsports" only when it retained more innovation than other venues. But there are lots of racing venues out there. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in Bernie's philosophy. And, in my somewhat biased opinion, the pinnacle of vehicle control is still rallye. (Rallye drivers won every RoC up until they moved it "indoors" (inside a stadium on plywood over futbol pitch).) Of course, that might be another vote for Tanner Foust (3rd in Rally America national)-- who has the SpeedTV connections with Windsor.
You must be too young to remember the Bog at the USGP at the Glen. Heck, they're basing the team out of Charlotte. Down on the VA/NC border, you'd see the gudole boyz out with their rusty buicks, driving 40 in a 50 zone on a two-lane ... and when you went to pass them, you'd see the black smoke boil from their exhaust. (Yo, Billy-Bob: ever hear of Carlos Sainz? Can you say "turbo"? One dish of rice, served hot. )
At the risk of having to write myself a repost ticket, here some pics of the two very different cars: - 1989 AGS in Le Luc (France), stick shift, no electronic aids, slicks, drove it off the pits in 2nd gear - 1996 ex Damon Hill Arrows at the Autobahn club in Joliet IL, paddle shift, some electronics (don't remember which ones), grooved tires, push start off the pit lane Seating position in the Arrows was more improvised and it never felt comfortable. Combined with the grooved tires that made for a very nervous handling. Both cars were phenomenal and the best cars I've ever driven (I have driven many Ferraris and other race cars). Incredible acceleration and deceleration, but most of all, super precise handling, including the transmission in both cars. Was pretty awesome and something I'd recommend to anybody on here and something I'll certainly do again when offered the opportunity. I have posted extensive write ups about both experiences on FChat, you might be able to find them. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
+1 Carol. Excellent choices for the reasons you mentioned. I don't see the purpose of fielding media darlings at this level, teams attempting to foist (foust?) recognizable but inept drivers always become the joke. If your team is Minardi, you need an Alonso more than you need a Rahal or Andretti. Even at the bottom, Alonso's talents were readily apparent, I'd love to see a North American in F1 due to outright speed and watch him or her (hopefully) climb through the ranks using USGPE as a stepping stone.
If I were running the team, I'd go with experience. JP Montoya J. Villenueve That would get as much interest in real racing fans as any AND get them drivers who know the tracks and know what to do to run a team. The US connection is they are both winners of the Indy 500. Both have a large fan base in all of North and South America. Both would get respect from the Europeans (unlike Michael Andretti received at McLaren). Both know the lifestyle and pitfalls of international racing. I dare ANYONE to prove Danica Patrick is better than these two.
One page they need to take from BMW's book is to pair your "star" driver with a solid car development driver. A start-up team is going to spend most of the first season finding all the problems with their cars. A new team wouldn't do badly to pick two car development drivers for the first year. And with the testing ban in place, I think a few F1 test drivers might be approachable. (But not if you insist on a 'statesian for USF1.)
especially one who has to have someone else set up their car for them - don't need to field media darlings (from Isobel's post) which is certainly true - if you want to be competitive and make your mark in your first year, then you need someone who's been in either involvement with F1 or a high end feeder series and not someone who's a medicore driver or someone who's prone to crashing - name and sex isn't a good idea....genuine talent and proven records are far superior to winning one race based on fuel strategy. I still go with Summerton and Carroll - both have been driving throughout the world and have experience with the "lifestyle and pitfalls of international racing". Carol
Good thread! But I have to say, I'm ready to scream if I hear another "Danica." She's just not an A-level driver, she's a prima donna, she throws silly temper tantrums, etc. Not suitable for F1, at ALL. Like others, I'd go with experience and potential talent -- If only to develop the car and build a potential long-term driver. To me, Jaques Villeneuve offers good value as he's hungry for a seat and knows how to speak to engineers. Patrick Long fits the "American requirement" and has been a major talent in GT's. I don't know how well he'd transition to open wheel but he'd definitely deserve a look. Otherwise: Scott Speed might need a second look. He's been a proven talent in open wheel racers and the maturity of a couple years might have done him some good.
Not at all! F1 is all about mellow respectful drivers who really respect their fellow competitors. And you're right, a 3rd place finish at Indy is quite the embarassment. Last step on the podium!! Weak!!! OTOH, I am quite ready to be 2nd driver to any other US or non-US driver and will do my best to block those behind "for the team" rather than think of myself only.
I'm not interested in racing for real because it is very resource intensive (time and money) and quite frankly dangerous. But I like to find out for myself what it feels like to drive one of these cars. Also as a comparison to virtual racing, which is where I do my "racing" (plus the safe/cheap world of gokarts). It also helps get a feel for the real work/talent the drivers do in a race. You realize what takes real talent and what isn't such a big deal. Not that it is such a revelation, but it is interesting to find out for yourself.
Marco and TK would be an awesome team. But it won't happen. I want Danica in there, just so WHEN she throws a fit, Kimi will just throw it down. Remember him checking the child on youtube? That was nothing!
Is it me, or is it hilarious that there's a disagreement between "the cheddar" and "mouse catcher"? Danica got a 3rd place at Indy, lucked into ONE other win, races on ovals, and we're discussing her future in F1? Let's be honest: Her name comes up for no other reason than her gender. That sucks for women everywhere because she is not being considered for her merits, which unfortunately don't amount to an F1 ride. I'm still going with Patrick Long -- Good guy, real talent in his field, though I'd hate to see Porsche lose a class young driver. That said: "The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." I think I'll make that my sig...!
Should be easy for you: There are many places in the UK that offer these. It is a bit harder to do it in the US though.
Not sure if that was meant as a joke or sarcasm, or a serious question? He drives for Penske, of course.
hehe, well i better watch it, this might be a trap! Hey, I think Danica is totally unsuited for F1, but that's not my point. I'm just always stunned by the anti-Danica sentiment that I always run into. Yes, she does get a lot of press because of her gender, but so what? Just because non-race fans can name only 2 or 3 drivers and Danica, not a champion, is one of them doesn't mean she's not a great driver! If she doesn't deserve to be an Indy driver than half the field doesn't deserve it. How come I never hear (e.g.) Marco Andretti bashing? Folks in the US should love that Danica gets press. It has kept IRL alive.
Yeah, I don't like the Danica bashing either (when it's about sexism) and I used to be a huge fan. But pandering her sexuality around the way she has completely turned me against her and, frankly, too much time has come and gone without success. But you're right about one thing for sure: We should be glad that her press has helped keep IRL afloat. Just curious: Is Karting not big here in the States? I see it as the entry point for young drivers but I never hear about it. Could that be a core reason why we have a tough time generating young talent for F1???
