More details on USF1 emerge
Autoblog claims to have more information about putative American F1 team USF1:
The USF1′s mission is to stand apart from the other 11 teams by hyping U.S. technology under the tagline of “Made in America.” The vehicle will be designed and built in the States and piloted by a duo of American drivers.
The main operational center would be based in Charlotte, NC, where several associated companies and research universities could help develop the racecar. In Europe, USF1 will work out of the newly erected Epsilon motorsports facility located outside of Bilbao, Spain.
When F1 teams and the sport’s leaders are locked in a dispute over costs and car sales in America are plunging, it’s difficult to take the claims of a new, US-based F1 team seriously. But F1 badly needs more teams and a presence in America, so I hope this comes to pass.
Read the full Autoblog article here
Phil said on 5th February 2009, 9:46
It’s turning into A1GP
Gabriel said on 5th February 2009, 19:10
when I read it, I thought exactly that – well said
Gman said on 6th February 2009, 21:59
You do have a point, and it would not suprise me to see wealthy parties from China, Russia, Dubai, and elsewhere start up similar operations.
On another note, I remember reading that the A1GP people wanted to set up their own F1 team recently, in order to reward the championship drivers in their own series with a chance to drive in F1. I remember them saying that costs put them off, but I doubt Bernie would ever let such a team see the light of day anyway.
zerogee said on 5th February 2009, 10:39
Apparently Peter Windsor is involved. I want it to be true to get him out of F1 Racing magazine.
SoLiD said on 5th February 2009, 12:12
Sounds great!
Only that it has to be 2american drivers :)
I hate when it has to be from their country.
You need the best you can get! :)
DC said on 5th February 2009, 12:45
Hmmm. Where is the press conference? Where are the public statements?
I really, really, really hope this is true, but I hate having expectations dashed. Scott Speed was such a bitter pill to swallow for those of us who want Americans in F1. After that experience I’m a bit gun-shy.
Gman said on 5th February 2009, 18:17
DC,
Trust me, there are many other alternatives from here in the States who are much better suited to the F1 spotlight. I interviewed Jonathan Summerton for a guest article back in November, and he was honestly one of nicest people I’ve ever dealt with in several years of writing for various outlets. Speed’s case was a bad one, but I am sure we can say the same thing about many other drivers in the sport’s history from around the world.
Lustigson said on 5th February 2009, 14:30
I wonder which drivers USF1 would go for. I find it hard to believe it’s either Marco Andretti or Danica Patrick, because then surely they go under the Andretti-Green banner.
Scott Speed is history, there’s Jonathan Summerton in A1GP, Charlie Kimball and a certain Jake Rosenzweig in F3 Euroseries, but that’s it, isn’t it?
Or perhaps Richard Antinucci; wasn’t he in the Red Bull driver scheme? And didn’t he race in Italian and European F3?
DG said on 5th February 2009, 15:40
Are you sure this isn’t the NASCAR boys out to prove all the cynics wrong? As for Drivers, they have all the IRL guys and girls to choose from, as well as anyone man enough to leave NASCAR……
I think this is a good way to get Americans back into F1, and to make Bernie and Max aware that there is a market ready to be tapped again, as well as get an F1 circuit or two in the States again…..
Good luck to them, I say, and why should they buy a de-motivated ex-Honda when they can get fresh ideas and fresh drivers from around the block……?
Filipe said on 5th February 2009, 16:15
If this is serious, they should think about Graham Rahal. A known name and one of the very few american drivers that looks better at a road course than an oval.
Arnet said on 5th February 2009, 17:10
It’s hard to take any of this seriously. First of all, who in their right mind would invest in such an insecure venture? Anyone who is smart enough that they still have money right now would be smart enough to hold on to it and not flush it down this red white and blue toilet. It couldn’t possibly work. There is not F1 DNA there.
Also, if there was an American driver good enough to race in F1, they would be on the radar. And they would be driving for Red Bull.
Gman said on 5th February 2009, 18:22
I can see the part about hanging into your money in times like this, but no Formula 1 DNA? Aside from Hill and Andretti, don’t forget that the recently-deceased Teddy Mayer was not just from America, but from the same hometown as the bum typing this now ;)
I was just breaking into the sport when Force India came online, and I don’t remember anyone doubting them, so why woulden’t something similar work here? And in Force India’s case, they could put two Indian drivers in the car right now, but Vijay refuses to employ them.
Ben said on 6th February 2009, 0:37
This wouldn’t be the first patriotic American team either, Dan Gurney’s Anglo American Racing Eagle team in the 60′s were predominantly American from memory. And as Gman pointed out, Mario Andretti and Phil Hill both world champions from the US and obviously Dan Gurney himself. Theres plenty of F1 heritage in the US.
Pete Walker said on 5th February 2009, 17:28
Its funny, I thought it was great when Aguri Suzuki was determined to enter with two Japanese drivers – it gave the team a real identity and I loved the spirit of what he was trying to achieve. Now the Americans want to enter in the same way and people think its a bad idea.
There’s nothing wrong with national pride and if this team does come to fruition with two Stateside drivers, all power to them. F1 needs to sort out its on-off its relationship with the USA once and for all and this could be just the ticket. :)
Gman said on 5th February 2009, 18:19
Spot on, Peter!
Chaz said on 5th February 2009, 17:51
Bold move by USF1. I’ll be watching with interest…
Jess said on 5th February 2009, 18:02
As an American I would love to see this come to pass. I have been on the fence on watching F1 anymore. It would be nice to see America in F1 with a team and drivers. But untill I see something set in stone I am taking this with a grain of salt. I have a young American Driver in mind for this team. Alexander Rossi.
Gman said on 5th February 2009, 18:23
Same here on everything, but Rossi appears to be a few years away at least. He’s off to as good of a start as he can from what i’ve seen, but it will just take a bit more seasoning.
FuriousA83 said on 5th February 2009, 19:00
I suppose it answers the question regarding the cost cutting measures then – Who will come in to F1 when it becomes too expensive for manufacturers? countries of course! USF1/ Force India – what next – Scuderia Italia? F1UK?
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 5th February 2009, 22:38
Scuderia Italia was a team, they entered F1 in 1988 using Dallara-built cars, lasted a couple of seasons.
Arthur954 said on 5th February 2009, 20:18
USF1 would be based in Europe at the Epsilon center close to Bilbao – that place is run by Joan Viladeprat, ex chief mechanic of Ferrari, McLaren and others – he could be a good help to set up the car.
It sure rains a lot in that area though
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 5th February 2009, 22:39
Close to a lot of testing tracks though if they’re in Spain, surely?
Arthur954 said on 6th February 2009, 0:05
The Bilbao area is actually not that close to the main tracks such as the Cataluña one, although they mention the construction of a new one nearby.
Epsilon is a high-tech company with a person in charge, Villadelprat, who has an impressive F1 background.
http://www.epsiloneuskadi.com/
Arthur954 said on 6th February 2009, 15:53
One place that the European base of USF1 would be close to is the hometown of Alonso in Oviedo. About 2 hours drive – maybe less in an 8.000 cc big block American V8
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine) said on 5th February 2009, 22:40
Max Mosley’s given a little bit more away about the team:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73135
chunter said on 6th February 2009, 0:47
Yeah, it does sound like A1GP; though it also sounds like ChampCar who had a “Team Australia,” I guess “Team America” is no different.
The North Carolina ties are not a surprise and actually make me feel quite sad. The state-of-the-art hotbed of racing is now there instead of Indianapolis, where it should be.
I must admit, I support any move that takes Peter Windsor out of journalism.
Keith’s support of US involvement in F1 is flattering and occasionally feels a bit strange. I’m reminded of the English teen that was flown to the US because he admitted to liking MLS better than English football…