Whom will the US fans embrace after MS?

He also took second at LeMans at least once. I don't believe anyone has won Indy, Daytona, LeMans and the WDC. Mario came closest.

Graham Hill won the WDC, Indy 500, and LeMans. AJ Foyt won the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and LeMans.


Maybe Jacques Villeneuve can do it all?

...nah

 

Here again, it's a different mentality in F1. The last thing F1 teams and drivers want is the public roaming in the pit lane, barging near their motorhomes or coming anywhere near them. Autographs session is a chore to them. Security to exclude any kind on public invasion is a FIA requirement for any organiser who wants to host a GP. The days where you could visit the pits, talk to the drivers are mostly gone in F1. The only chance you have is to be in a corporate party and get an invitation for a short session -usually for sponsors staff, etc...

I did get to pits and talked to drivers at GPs in the 60s, but that was at a time when F1 was far less popular, there was no TV coverage, attendance at GP was small, and ...drivers were paid far less!! Now, some of them have minders to fend off enthusiasts. Some drivers and team principals actually ask a fee for interviews!

 

(sigh...)

Most USA fans don't know Mario was a GP champion, let alone have 12 GP wins.

I'd guess 95% know only of his Indycar exploits - or probably more correct - that he was a famous racing driver.

 

Agreed.

But also, back then, racing was a sport, today it's a business, no matter how you slice it.

 

Now there's a way to relate to the average joe who shells out several hundred dollars for a ticket to a GP.

And they wonder why they can't succeed in the US...

 

The answer to the original question .... Rob Lay .... the emerging superstar

 

I root for Ferrari regardless of who drives!!!!
Always have.......................
I really like Kimi because he has proven himself to be a very good driver but doesnt have the dependable equipment (Mercedes).......
Massa has done exceptional as well this year for a wing man.....

 

I am very sad that Schumacher is done, mainly because I never got to see him in person. I choose not to get attached to another driver, as I did MS, so I'm just cheering for Ferrari, period. No drivers. I do like FM, DC, and SP. I wish Scott were a little better, but he is a rookie. If he drove for Ferrari that would be awesome.

 

So many young prospects and you don't really know which ones will really become stars. Kubica, Kovalainen, Hamilton, Rosberg, Vettel, Piquet Jr.
For now I'd say Kubica is the real deal, even Alonso said that he's a future star, so he must know.All the hype on Rosberg has gone down but with the right equipment things can go the other way. Also I have an eye on Piquet Jr, I think he's bloddy fast. Time will tell.

A bit sad to see MS go but I never really liked the guy.

Raikkonen for me all the way.

 

I hope for Michael's sake that he doesn't succumb to any behavior deemed "questionable" in Brazil in an attempt to take the Championship. At this point, any negative actions on his part will follow him much longer than any positive results.

 

Take into account that the spanish speaking population in the U.S. is the largest and wealthiest minority in North America.

I like to see any Spaniard winning at F1, period.

S. Speed is nothing but a joke.