USF1 evaluating Danica Patrick
Jun 22, 2009 | 09:09 PM
#1
Thread Starter
| FIGJAM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,463
USF1 evaluating Danica Patrick
Formula One news: USF1 evaluating Danica Patrick - GPUpdate.net Formula One
The new-for-2010 USF1 team is considering Danica Patrick as a possible driver for their first Grand Prix season next year. Patrick, who rose to stardom by winning Motegi's round of the IndyCar Series last year, has been in discussions with the team which has already admitted its intentions to run at least one American driver.
With the project having been in the pipeline for over four years, the Charlotte-based squad is making progress with its preparations for 2010, despite not yet knowing under which regulations it will compete. 'Budget cap or not', though, Ken Anderson's team will not be distracted from the job in hand.
"We're getting near to the point where we start looking at drivers and Danica is on our list for sure, because she's the best-placed American in the leading single-seater championship of the United States," USF1 sporting director, Peter Windsor, told GPWeek. "She's doing a really great job."
Patrick currently lies in the top five of the IndyCar Series, three places ahead of the second American. "There are some other great drivers out there," Windsor - who, until Silverstone, was the interviewer in F1 post-qualifying and race press conferences - continued. "Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jonathan Summerton...the list goes on. There are some really good guys and we've got to start focusing on that."
How does the Cosworth-powered team view F1's current argument between the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) and governing body the FIA? "We are open to the political instability," Windsor added. "We're building various iterations of the car based around the ways we think the regulations could go."
this has fail written all over it. USF1 is a flimsy proposition as it is, with a driver lineup containing danica it would be a backmarker at best.
The new-for-2010 USF1 team is considering Danica Patrick as a possible driver for their first Grand Prix season next year. Patrick, who rose to stardom by winning Motegi's round of the IndyCar Series last year, has been in discussions with the team which has already admitted its intentions to run at least one American driver.
With the project having been in the pipeline for over four years, the Charlotte-based squad is making progress with its preparations for 2010, despite not yet knowing under which regulations it will compete. 'Budget cap or not', though, Ken Anderson's team will not be distracted from the job in hand.
"We're getting near to the point where we start looking at drivers and Danica is on our list for sure, because she's the best-placed American in the leading single-seater championship of the United States," USF1 sporting director, Peter Windsor, told GPWeek. "She's doing a really great job."
Patrick currently lies in the top five of the IndyCar Series, three places ahead of the second American. "There are some other great drivers out there," Windsor - who, until Silverstone, was the interviewer in F1 post-qualifying and race press conferences - continued. "Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jonathan Summerton...the list goes on. There are some really good guys and we've got to start focusing on that."
How does the Cosworth-powered team view F1's current argument between the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) and governing body the FIA? "We are open to the political instability," Windsor added. "We're building various iterations of the car based around the ways we think the regulations could go."
this has fail written all over it. USF1 is a flimsy proposition as it is, with a driver lineup containing danica it would be a backmarker at best.
Jun 22, 2009 | 09:56 PM
#6
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 31,976
From: Minnesota
That does not help at all, actually. The cars weights are strictly regulated but the driver's weight is included, iirc. A light driver means a heavier car but it'll average out to be the same weight as everyone else on the grid. The only difference is that USF1 will have a shitty driver. 
