New U.S. F1 team!? With American drivers!?

[FastCarFan]

Originally Posted by legion

Even that isn't true. That half of Renault that goes by the name "Nissan" views the U.S. as a very important market.

Good point. I knew about the Nissan/Renault alliance, but I forgot about it when I made the comment...&, apparently, so did Windsor.

From what I have read, they are pretty committed to U.S. drivers. I hope they stick to that commitment. That would rule out Button, JV, JPM, Coulthard & some others mentioned.

As for PT, I am afraid he is too old (& too Canadian to be considered a U.S. driver)...although I like him as a driver. Very talented, aggressive & not afraid to stick his "chrome horn" into any situation. Very colorful & entertaining.

What about some of the NASCAR boys? I know some of them have run in go-carts (i.e., road-raced), & I know some (Jeff Gordon, for one, although he may be too old as well) have expressed interest in F1. Several years ago I read that many of the NASCAR guys get together early Sunday mornings to watch the F1 races on TV.

Jimmy Johnson? Kurt Busch? I wonder if Scott Speed is still interested in F1? I have read good things about young Braun. Others? Unfortunately, it will take a lot of $ to get a driver out of NASCAR.

What about other Americans who may be competing in Europe that I am not familiar with? I am sure there are some, & it has already been pointed out how important European experience is.

I am excited to watch this develop & learn more. And I will soon have a place I will want to visit next time I am at my brother-in-law's house in NC!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Justin Wilson??

"I'll beat them thar other drivers. I GA-RUN-TEE!"

Every time I hear that name it cracks me up a little... glad to see I'm not the only one that remembers him.

Hey, he could blind the other drivers by throwing cayenne pepper out of the cockpit!

[strupgolf]

Anyone remember our last great hope in F1----Michael Andretti.

[teenerted1]

you are thinking of the wrong andretti

[legion]

Jan Van Overbeek is U.S.-born, no?

[Seric]

Originally Posted by legion

No way, they're totally hiring Juan Pablo Montoya.

Hah, was just thinking if Jaun us an American citizen or not...

I'm sure all the drivers in F1 would welcome him back with open arms right?

[Stanley]

Looks like Bernie is making them change their name to USGPE (US Grand Prix Engineering) because he won't them to have F1 in their name.

One of the men behind the ambitious project to create an American Formula 1 team has played down the team’s recent name change and says its plans are progressing well.

The team, which officially unveiled its plans at the end of last month, has dropped its original ‘USF1’ moniker and logo at the behest of Formula One Management and its website now redirects to www.usgpe.com.

Team co-founder Peter Windsor told itv.com/f1 that the change of name was not a significant setback and said a permanent name and logo would be confirmed shortly.

“It’s no big deal,” he said.

“Our original logo was just a placemark for a work in progress.

“Now that we’re in business, we need to conform with FOM rules and of course we’re delighted to be doing that and will be announcing an official logo shortly.

“As for the [interim] site, this was just one of many domain names we registered about five years ago.

“We’ll be back soon – bigger and better.”

Windsor added that the team has been delighted by the response from fans and the media since news of its plans first broke a month ago.

“We were completely overwhelmed by the reaction to our announcement,” he said.

“The latest figures show that over 4,000 articles about us were published worldwide in February alone.

“Who said that no one was interested in Americans in F1?”

http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45228

[Noney]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Looks like Bernie is making them change their name to USGPE (US Grand Prix Engineering) because he won't them to have F1 in their name.

A testament to the level of megalomania present in that little douchbag dwarf.

(my apologies to any dwarfs on the board)

[jeffgrant]

Originally Posted by Noney

A testament to the level of megalomania present in that little douchbag dwarf.

(my apologies to any dwarfs on the board)

Not really... I was surprised that they had used it in the first place.

F1 is globally trademarked (go figure), and not by Windsor. If F1 didn't fight to protect it, then they could lose claims to it.

There is a LOT of power in the F1 brand, so I don't see why they wouldn't get them to change it.

It very well might have been a planned course of action on Windsor's part, too, as it was a hell of a lot easier to associate the team with F1 using their originally broadcast name of USF1. And you HAVE to know that they've been talking to F1 for a long time about this, so the name shouldn't have been a surprise to anybody.

[Noney]

True, but BE is still a weasel.

[nut11]

Bernie has to dumb the technology down to keep costs relatively in control and that could help a USA effort. The driver is key. I believe there's much american talent out there - just need to find it and cultivate it. Look fresh and develop. Hamilton and sim training = results, an american kid and sim too, maybe. Who knows... I'd love to see F1 come back to the states it's just a tough time right now. Best of luck to USGPE.

87 blk coupe

[Stanley]

I read on another forum that they should get their name USF1 back after they get their FIA licensing. There are other teams with F1 in their name so I don't see this being an issue in the future.

[teenerted1]

i read today that kyle busch is showing some interest. but would like to check the circuts first.
wow talk about a pushy american....

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/9306974/Bad-economy-wins-out-over-great-weather-at-AMS?FSO2&ATT=MA

Besides, Busch may have something else on his agenda if a new American-based Formula One team gets off the ground. He has been mentioned as one of the possible drivers and is definitely interested.

"I'd like to go to all the different areas and see what's all about," he said. "It would be fun to go do that stuff. You can find out exactly how good you are against the best in the world."

Busch sounded as though it takes more skill to race on the Grand Prix circuit, a challenge he would love to take on.

"Those guys are outrageous," he said. "They are so good at being able to finesse a car and make it do what they want it to do. Here, you can try to make the car do what you want it to do, but you're really at its mercy. Those guys can make it do what they want it to do. To learn about that, see what it's like, that would be a lot of fun."

[strupgolf]

Originally Posted by teenerted1

you are thinking of the wrong andretti

Oh EXCUSE me, uninformed one. Were you too young to remember Michael Andretti racing for McClaren in the series in 1993. Ron Dennis teamed him with the great Ayrton Senna. He went across the pond for a year and got his ass handed to him by many lesser known want-to-be racers. Get your facts before you post. Mairo Andretti WAS the last great american hope, and he went out on top.

[nut11]

Actually, Michael didn't do too bad. Senna was his mentor and was helpful contrary to his reputation. Michael did get a podium but he was homesick. Plus, tough to fill father's shoes. In my opinion, he held his own for the short period of time he was engaged.

87 blk coupe

[teenerted1]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

Oh EXCUSE me, uninformed one. Were you too young to remember Michael Andretti racing for McClaren in the series. He went across the pond for a year and got his ass handed to him by many lesser known want-to-be racers. Get your facts before you post. Mairo Andretti WAS the last great american hope, and he went out on top.

green= sarcasimsome people just cant take a joke

i do remember the dissapointing season michael had but it wasnt all his fault.

you really think Senna and Prost and Hill and Shumacher are lesser known racers?
wow you have some pretty high standards there.

i meant that you had to be confused with his father that actually did win in F1.

i was very dissapointed in the season Michael had, and untill the Monza race he really didnt get a decent chance to prove himself. by them it was too late and the team was ready to put in Häkkinen who they got a deal on at the time.

[strupgolf]

Well you got me one there. Had no idea of the green: maybe thought it was green for Obama's new agenda. I will admit that he didn't get a good break, and that all the resources were put to Senna. He went home with his tail between his legs, not at all like daddy.

[MOMO3.2]

Why is it that Americans generally do not impress in F1?

Yes, the late Phil Hill was a worthy World Champion. Dan Gurney could more than hold his own too. Mario was great, but he has Italian blood running through his veins. We cannot claim Mario with a clear conscience.

Why can't we compete?

Canada sure turns out some fine drivers. And, in case anyone has not noticed, EVERY Brazilian that gets into a race car seems to be nothing short of magnificent.

Our Continent is not lacking talent that can compete in F1, its our Country...

What gives?

Mike

[Zeke]

We don't race as much in the rain as the rest of the world. Grow up in Europe, race karts and F3 on the tracks of F1 and you'll have an edge that Americans will never have.

[imcarthur]

Ain't no Nascar in Canada, South America, Europe . . . our budding motorheads dream about F1.

Ian