Graham Rahal does not find F1 interesting. http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/080521101613.shtml Wonder if his Dad's experiences colored his thinking.
Well it's his choice of course. I can see his point, it's a tough apprenticeship in F1 (unless you're Lewis Hamilton) and pounding around fighting for 15 place isn't his cup of tea. For a young american driver it's easier to go to either Nascar or the IRL and jump in a car that has a legitimate chance of winning straight away rather than waiting a couple of years and hope you get in a red or silver car.
Plenty of US-based drivers didn't make it in F1, and not for lack of talent. (de Matta, Zanardi, Michael Andretti) It's just a different environment, and there are very few F1 teams that will let you show your potential straightaway. A newcomer is likely to land a drive in a second-rate team, with no chance of improvement. In the US, IRL or NASCAR is more of a level playing field. The 'road' to F1 is really through F3 and GP2.
+1 And even then you're probably going to wind up in a "mid pack" team at best. You then have to consistently beat your teammate and keep the car out of trouble (a reputation as a wrecker is a quick way to get thrown out). Then, if there's a seat available you *may* get into a front running team, and as we know there aren't many of them.... It's tough! That's why I love it! Cheers, Ian
Your right but to me his comments seemed a little more like whining than anything else. Or maybe his comments were code for, "I'm not confident I would be able to even race at the F1 level. Therefore, I don't even want to try it". I could be wrong though. Either way, I wish him the best of luck here in the states.
I didn't get that impression at all. Sure you're not bringing in a little of your own preference here? He simply said that he "found it boring" and really wouldn't want to be stuck with a team that had no chance at winning, much less fighting for 15th place. That's a perfectly understandable perspective.
I think Americans have a different view of racing than europeans... they are MUCH more ruthless in europe, in the states its kind of like a big frat party, even in NASCAR everyone knows each other... in Europe its much more a loner sport, much more aggressive... that being said, I dont think Americans have any chance at F-1 anymore unless they live and are brought up in Europe from a very young age... its the only way... and most Americans dont want to do that, its much easier to make a good life here in the states doing NASCAR or IRL... or something like that. F-1 is not only about talent but about how much money you can spend to get you there... the Senna's of the world included, just look at Hamilton, McLaren has been backing him since he was a child.
I listened to a few of the interviews on the worthless ESPN site about the top 25 drivers and found that Graham was the most articulate and best of any of those. I believe he sees the world of racing in a much broader sense than the NASCAR yahoos who probably don't have a clue who Jackie Stewart is and think Dale Sr is the best of the 25! I would much rather see him racing sportscars and look forward to him hopefully driving his dad's BMW in ALMS. I realize from the aforementioned link about Graham, he's happy with Newman/Hass, however, I think driving for a car manufacturer in their return to GT racing would also be a terrific move for him. Besides, he's a damn good road racer. Hopefully, he'll be driving a BMW at Sebring next March. Carol The world does not necessarily revolve around F1 for some folks!!!
I didn't get that impression either, it's not like the kid is wrong. Why bother with second rate crap just to say you did Formula One? It might appeal to you or me but to someone like him with a bright future in motorsport wherever he goes, it might seem like a waste of time.
Thanks for keeping me in check. You could be right. I did have a tough day today so I was probably just displaying some unnecessary venting. You're correct, his perspective is understandible and I give him credit for trying to think of the bigger picture. On the flip side though. I guess it's just hard for me to believe F1 being regarded to as boring coming from a professional driver. If I were him and there was even a slim possibility of actually having a shot at F1 even if it meant driving for a midpack team, I would be all over it. Who knows, gain some experience and skill, begin to shine and with some luck you might eventually have a shot at a top team. If it doesn't work out your still young and with a name like Rahal you could come back to the states and still race. Then again, these are just my thoughts and I could be way off base especially considering the day I've had. As I said before, I wish him the best of luck here in the states.
Graham is the most confident kid I've ever seen. He never put down a lap at Indy until May and is 13th on the grid. Criticized his crew for not being ready for a last minute dash to improve. And he was right. Wise beyond his years. At 19, F1 could come to him in good time.
Well I certainly rate him higher than Andretti, that's for sure. It seems like he'll continue to improve as well.
Good point. A while ago I remember seeing an interview with Montoya after he just started with NASCAR. He pretty much summed it up that there were many drivers willing to offer any advice and help with his transition. He mentioned this is practically not done in the world of F1.
Speaking of Andretti, Marco has stated that F1 is not that appealing anymore. Which is a F1's loss; and the IRL's gain. I really wanted to pull for him in F1...Looks like it may be a while before we see an American in F1.... Kevin S. Orchard Park, NY
There's a Marco interview on ESPN where he claims McLaren sabotaged his fathers F1 career in order to bring Mika on board. http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/indycar/news/story?id=3406937
Translation; no-one is interested in me. F1, in reality, is like watching a high speed version of chess. I happen to like chess. And open wheel road racing. NASCAR, in reality, is much more entertaining. The drivers often say that they do not know who is going to win the race going into the last corner. Can F1 say that ? One in a hundred races.
I hear you on NASCAR being competitive relative to F-1, but F-1 has NEVER been about not knowing who is going to win at the last corner, its always been about seeing the best of the best compete in the most technologically superior cars in the world... the best of the best in machines, and man... in my opinion F-1 has lowered its self to be a spec formula so it can grab more market share and more money... it is an evil cycle - to make the sophisicated cars, you need money, to get money you have to appeal to a wide audience so you can attract fans... I dont know how you make it fit everybody's tastes... I prefered the F-1 of the early 90's as the height of Racing... As a Ferrari guy it was great to have Schumacher dominant for so long with Ferrari, but the cars were not as interesting...it would have been great if he could have won in a V-12 like Enzo would have liked...
I just read that article myself. It's interesting to say the least. I don't know how much of it is true but there is at least a bit of validity to it. Ayrton Senna did indeed support Michael and thought he was getting shafted. Sabotaged is a bit harsh but I'm sure the team wasn't listening to him. I never thought Michael got a proper shot at F1 in 93 but that's just my two cents.
Funny that he finds something he has little chance of succeeding at "not interesting". I can understand how tough it is to break into F1, but if he's already given up at his young age, then I guess there's no reason for him to even talk about it any more, eh? F1 is still the pinnacle of motorsports and the ultimate level of competition. It is by its nature difficult for Americans to break into it, but I hope SOMEBODY from the States eventually has the talent, good ATTITUDE and the backing to make it happen one day. Mario was the last American to win the WDC in 1979...... Personally, I'd rather do yard work than watch NASCAR or Indy.
How are the GT2 classes of the FIA GT Championship and the Le Mans Series much more aggressive than the GT2 class of the American Le Mans Series?
I find most F1 races boring except when it rains. NASCAR is a joke, but the IndyCar Series is being rebuilt. Rahal won in his debut race at St. Pete this year at 19 years old. Mario wasn't born in America.
