Formula One news: Americans first, money second, say USF1 - GPUpdate.net Formula One


USF1 is determined to stick to its guns and hire at least one American driver ahead of the team's debut season in Formula One next year. With the Charlotte-based squad in no rush to select its two pilots, sporting director Peter Windsor is adamant that promises from the team will override large money offers from European drivers.

With the team having admitted that it desires at least one American national within its line-up, USF1 - one of three new teams in 2010 - is presented with an endless list of candidates for the second seat. "We're looking at that scenario right now," Windsor told Sports Illustrated. "We need to make the effort to get Americans in our car - that was always our goal and it still is our goal."

IndyCar Series racers Graham Rahal and Ryan Hunter-Reay are two of the favourites, with Jonathan Summerton - whose career has taken him through Europe's F3 Euroseries as well as A1GP - another name mentioned by Windsor. The squad has long since decided, however, that big money offers will not sway decisions.

"We've been offered well over three-quarters of our racing budget by two drivers already, neither of whom have raced in Formula One but both have won races in GP2," Windsor continued. "Both of them have massive sponsorship they can bring us from their home countries; Ken (Anderson, team principal) and I have got to be very strong, look one another in the eye and say 'No, we're not gong to accept that money, we're not going to hire those guys because we're going to remain true to our convictions.'"

Although one place is likely to be taken by a European and possibility more experienced driver, Windsor stresses that 'US' is half of the team's name: "This team is about helping young Americans as much as it is about anything else but it is tempting - when you see all this money dangled in front of you - to take it and decide for the first year that we'll run two guys who aren't Americans."

 

USF1 has been training Michael Ramies lately as well. He's only 18 and if he gets a seat out of it, he'd be F1's new youngest driver.

 

I'd be pumped to see success come to an American team. Maybe we would finally get our GP back!

 

If that dude ( and his blue steel impersonation ) gets a seat, it will be a complete joke. USF1 are handicapping themselves by limiting themselves to a US driver.

What US driver is going to be competitive in F1?

 

As much as I want to stand up and praise American drivers, you're absolutely right. There aren't really any drivers that have the pedigree and training to jump right into F1 and be competitive without being a danger to others. There are plenty of US drivers that could bring a ton of sponsorship money, but they don't have the skill set to cut it in F1 unfortunately.

Regardless, I'll be happy if USF1 brings in an inexperienced American driver and gives the other seat to an F1 veteran.

 

He's American, but born in Britain.

I vote Dan Wheldon.

Who knows, they may even end up with TK!

 

F1 is a whole 'nother league. Indy drivers havnt', and won't cut it.

 

Tk! Ftw!!!

 

agreed