Indy Racing League driver Danica Patrick has done an about face. Just a few days after telling everyone how happy she is in
the IRL, she now says she’d consider jumping to Formula One. Patrick has been targeted as one of four possible drivers for
a new U.S.-based F1 team that was launched today.
Meanwhile, former open-wheel driver Mario Andretti said if any IRL driver should be considered for a jump to F1, considered by many to be the premiere level of open-wheel racing, it should be his grandson, Marco.
Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson unveiled their plans today in Charlotte, N.C. for a team to be called USF1, and say they are committed to hiring two American drivers. They listed their top targets, including Patrick, 22-year-old Marco Andretti, former F1 driver Scott Speed and NASCAR's Kyle Busch. Windsor and Anderson are committed to launching an F1 team for the 2010 season. Patrick and Marco Andretti, who are teammates on Andretti Green Racing, both have contracts that expire at the end of the 2009 season.
The idea of Danica or one of the good ole boys mixing it up with the high-brow F1 paddock certainly would boost interest in the U.S., and might even push interest in bringing a race back to the Brickyard. Of course, it would have to make financial sense for IMS boss Tony George.
Meanwhile, former open-wheel driver Mario Andretti said if any IRL driver should be considered for a jump to F1, considered by many to be the premiere level of open-wheel racing, it should be his grandson, Marco.
Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson unveiled their plans today in Charlotte, N.C. for a team to be called USF1, and say they are committed to hiring two American drivers. They listed their top targets, including Patrick, 22-year-old Marco Andretti, former F1 driver Scott Speed and NASCAR's Kyle Busch. Windsor and Anderson are committed to launching an F1 team for the 2010 season. Patrick and Marco Andretti, who are teammates on Andretti Green Racing, both have contracts that expire at the end of the 2009 season.
The idea of Danica or one of the good ole boys mixing it up with the high-brow F1 paddock certainly would boost interest in the U.S., and might even push interest in bringing a race back to the Brickyard. Of course, it would have to make financial sense for IMS boss Tony George.
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I hope she stays. Unless you are with a first class team in F1, you are a guaranteed backmarker.
Danica is critisized that she won in Japan only when Helio pitted, and you pick James Hunt?
I realize that he had F1 victories, but bad comparison. The 1976 championship was handed to him.
You should have used Niki Lauda, and his charred jockstrap.
Danica said she wants to stay in the IRL. That's where she should stay until she either does or does not prove herself to be a winning contender.
Most people are not aware, but Marco has pretty much failed his F1 audition in his test with Honda. Although he showed the consistency of pace of a true professional, he just didn't show the ultimate speed needed in F1. Folks, he just wasn't fast enough.
I believe Graham's had just one abbreviate F1 drive; not a real test if I remember correctly. Certainly, he's someone you'd want to give a shot.
A: Cause the EARL sucks, and is no stepping stone to F1.
That remains true today, and that window of opportunity for Graham (who i agree has talent) is closing quickly. If he is not immediately taken up by someone by midseason this year, I suspect - I said suspect - he will never run there. F1 has no time for provincial drivers. You get about ONE shot at it (ask Scott Speed), and G-Hole better make a move pronto.
And agreed on Micro Andretti. I have not onced been impressed with him. Especially after he collided with Eddie the Cheeber.
Simon,
What race series today is not all about the sponsors and which ones the drivers can bring? Dale Jr. would not be driving NASCAR without the sponsors the family name brings. Kyle Petty certainly would not have had any NASCAR career without the same. Be it looks or name, if you have sponsors, you have a ride. I do not think there is a series out there that is not that way.
Ask Sebastien Bourdais and Timo Glock. How many EARL drivers have got a shot in F-1? Dixon, Kanaan, Franchitti, Helio all wanted to race in F-1 but will never get a shot in Formula Sagamore.
How is it when you pick on people and are called on it you call it humor? But when you get picked on the slightest you get defensive and tell people to knock it off and stop being mean and calling you names. You even have to get The Score involved to be the principle.
DaHooey go away with your teenage rants, gangster talk, and putride take on life. You are not funny. You are the person who deep down is extremely insecure and covers it by making fun of others at their expense.
I think you mean principal. And Berwick was the one who went crying to IBJ. Do you have any idea what a public forum is? It's real simple, if you don't like it, don't read it. And don't take the time to respond. It's not your forum, no one cares what you think.
For your information, the only reason I did so is because the poster included a link to a porn site. That was certainly inappropriate and needed to be called out.
Stupid Gomer place fans think he is hot with his spread in SI and his new tramp stamp.
Stupid Gomos!
You never have anything to add that advances the forum. Public discussion of topics with facts are great. But blatent crap does nothing.
Alan Metcalfe - your new name for Danica has reached an all time low for this site. Would you use that term around a lady? If so I would be ready to duck. Amazing how low our society has dipped. No one carries on a decent conversation anymore, it is all hot air at someones expense.
Brett,
This is not a public forum, it is an IBJ Forum. As such, it is up to Anthony to decide what image he wants this forum to portray for himself and the IBJ. The Star has let theirs collapse into name calling and childishness. I am hoping the same is not allowed to happen here. It is easy to discuss topics, no matter how controversial in a mature way. You just have to have a point and make it intelligently. I have always been told that when you resort to insults, you have lost the argument.
I could not agree more!!
Discuss intelligently or not at all.
This is not a public forum, it is an IBJ Forum.
So not anyone can join? Do you have to pay to join? Do you have to be an IBJ subscriber? No. Hence ther term public. Look it up.
The Star has let theirs collapse into name calling and childishness.
The old Speednet forums was some of the best racing talk on the internet until irl fans made it a cesspool.
That's why you took the time to respond, right?
Public forum or not you guys are like little kids. It is all fun and games calling people names, etc. until you get hurt - then its you running and yelling “MOMMY” the whole way.
The only ones notifying Anthony are moronic irl* fans and crybabies like you.
It is an IBJ Forum, notice the name at the top of your screen? Sure, the IBJ invites anyone to comment, but they rightfully hold the right to edit or remove anyones comments for whatever reason. Therefore it is the IBJ's Forum. I went to the IMA yesterday. Did not have to join, did not have to pay an entry fee, but it is not a public facility. It is a private facility. They invite the public in, but it is still private. Same as the IBJ Forum. You have no right to post whatever you want. But you knew that.
It seems there are as many or more c?rters/TG haters dragging this site down as IRL fans. Your point?
You call IRL fans morons, crybabies and a collective cesspool. So who is doing the name calling, sir?
Those are my opinions. I am not the one constantly crying to the moderator like a 4th grader when you you don't like someone else's opinion. Man up or borrow a set.
Perhaps you should learn the difference
As I said earlier, get some stones...
It is amazing that people are so immature that the only way they feel they can get their point across is to act childish. Truly sad.