USF1 -- F1's All-American Challenger

[donskar]

It's great to see so much optimism and enthusiasm =D> created by what seems, so far, to be rather gossamer-thin rumors.

I DO hope it all comes to pass, but I can't see it happening (pass me those rose colored spectacles, please).

It would take very gutsy (or stupid?) US firms to pony up several million USD each. Remember, those of us on this forum are the exception (even my son, the Audi technician, drag racer, and car nut, calls us "geeks"). MOST Americans (and I think I could include the USA and Canada) do NOT care about F1. It is NOT a "player" in media ratings. YES, a US F1 team, with colorful, charismatic drivers COULD change that. And I hope it does. But in terms of commercial impact in North America (NOT worldwide) remember that live F1 appears either very early in the morning or very late at night. H-P, GE, Budweiser, McDonalds, et al would be spending many millions to compete in their home market in the time periods relegated to cable porn, BAD movies, and 30-minute infomercials for bathroom miracle cleaners and penis enhancers.

Involving some "names" seems crucial to commercial success: AJ, Scott Speed, Danica, Jay Leno, etc.

I AM hoping!

[F1LOCO]

Keep the faith alive...keep it alive... [-o<

[modbaraban]

Yesetrday a megapopular russian speaking website F1news.ru came up with their 'exclusive' word from Peter Windsor.
Translating it back into english:

Yes, I am helping a US consortium creating a Formula1 team named USF1. It's in early stages but these guys hope to be on the grid in 2010 with their F1 car developed and biult in the USA. I hope we'll make a decent presentation in February.

Today a Ukrainian website Proformula.ua came up with the news that GoDaddy is rumoured to be behind the project and that Danica is to be in the hot seat (no pun intended... almost).

PS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USF1

[Conceptual]

PS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USF1

Now THAT is a technical formula!

[xpensive]

More on the rumour that the USF1 cars will be Ferrari customer-cars, badged as Alfa Romeo's for Fiat's re-introduction on the American market through Chrysler. Sponsorship is said to come from US food-giant Heinz, why the cars definately will be red!

[ESPImperium]

I hope it comes to pass, it would be really nice to see a US team in F1. With alot of good enough for F1 drivers, that are American ofcourse, would be amazing.

Danica Patrick - Would be great to see a quick woman in F1.
Marco Andretti - Quick in IRL, but decent enough in A1GP at the moment.
Jonathan Summerton - Quick in A1GP over the last couple of seasons, amazing driving tallent.

[F1LOCO]

Danica...come on...she has what 1 win her entire career running ovals...and best finish at sixth? Likewise with Marco. Other than SkipBarber, his only experience has been the oval track, until Dad bought out USA1. Is this really an F1 board?

[PNSD]

What about those F1 tests he did for Honda... and was pretty quick...

[xpensive]

With all the respect for US racing technology, the idea of starting up an F1 team in the Carolinas rings just a tad optimistic to me, when it seems impossible to base a French team in France or a Japanese team in Japan?
No matter the McDonald's and Heinz money.

[Agerasia]

An important point is that they will not have to abide by the freezes.
They could go all out on an engine design that conforms to the current regs and would not be held down by the testing ban.

[djos]

An important point is that they will not have to abide by the freezes.
They could go all out on an engine design that conforms to the current regs and would not be held down by the testing ban.

Why would they when they can buy a competitive powerplant from Cosworth? (an American owned company)

[tk421]

...and would not be held down by the testing ban.

I don't disagree, I'd just like some clarification. How would the team's U.S. base circumvent the testing ban? Thanks!

[majicmeow]

I think what he means is that the team could design an engine right the first time

They could design the engine for its maximum performance and reliability from the get go and not have to worry about relying on a 3 year old design as a basis...

[Agerasia]

I think what he means is that the team could design an engine right the first time

They could design the engine for its maximum performance and reliability from the get go and not have to worry about relying on a 3 year old design as a basis...

Exactly.
Plus until they actually enter F1 as a team, they are free to test as much as they wish.

[Conceptual]

One has to wonder if a purchase of Honda is out of the question, what about purchasing the IP of the 2009 car that may never see the racetrack?

Starting from there, they could have 2 years to improve the design and hit the track running in 2010. Especially after some constructive espionage at the 17 races this season, and the aero progressions of the other teams.

Then again, it may simply be Vapor Ware.