US F1 Update

Don · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 09:19 AM

AutoWeekRacing.com

" The Charlotte, N.C.-based Formula One upstart U.S. F1 has finally given us a look inside its facility, a significant step toward dispelling any lingering doubt.............. "

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091007/F1/910079988

VRM · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 10:26 AM

Yeah, I had my doubts. I didn't really see Peter Windsor as a team principle.

It's going to be interesting. I wonder what sort of livery they are going to come up with. Red/white/blue, traditional white with blue stripes, or something that matches their primary sponsor colours (blue, white, with Youtube red?).

Steve

Don · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 11:32 AM

Additional info from MotorSport.com :

US F1 Team interview with Ken Anderson
Date: 2009-10-07

5 QUESTIONS WITH KEN ANDERSON, US F1 TEAM PRINCIPAL, PRESIDENT & CEO

Author: US F1 Team: America's new Formula One team prepares for the 2010 season. Team interview with Ken Anderson follows:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=348388

Wayne Maybury · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 11:39 AM

That machine shop is quite messy, I hope they get someone in to clean it up before they take more pictures of it.

Wayne

Dan40 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 12:20 PM

I remember reading some YEARS ago [2,5, 7 10?] that to field a COMPETITIVE F-1 team took well over $400,000,000.00 per year! I doubt that number has come down.

Bartruff1 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2009, 01:52 PM

I am going to go watch...I have kinda been looking for a excuse to revisit some of the places I saw 45 years ago (Including the 1964 Cobra effort) and to go to some completely different countries that I can't imagine ever visiting.. yes, I know ...it won't be as much fun as it was in 64 !!!

Don · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 08:26 AM

From AutoWeek.com

" The new U.S. F1 Team and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile said on Thursday that the FIA completed a second round of visits to the team's headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday and that it was pleased with what it saw."

"I personally visited the U.S. F1 Team in August as well as this week, and I am impressed with the progress made by the organization since the Concorde Agreement was signed in late July," said Nick Craw, the FIA's deputy president for sport. "It has all come together very quickly for the team, and we welcome them into Formula One competition in 2010."

Note the picture: The U.S. F1 complex in Charlotte, N.C., includes an autoclave to create carbon-fiber parts

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091008/F1/910089995

“The Next American Formula One Champion,” says the header on the Web site JonathanSummerton.com. Ambitious? You bet--the last American F1 champion was Mario Andretti, in 1978.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091008/F1/910089990

Wayne Maybury · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 11:09 AM

F1 is an extremely difficult series for a new team. When BAR Honda entered F1 several years back, they stated that they expected to be competitve the first year but they failed miserably. Honda finally pulled out last year by selling the team to Brawn who are leading the team championship race so far this year.

Toyota are just now starting to become competitve but they have yet to win a race even though they have been in F1 for quite a few years. In Toyota's case it has nothing to do with money as they have the biggest budget in F1. These are not spec race cars like in NASCAR. There is constant development going on all of the time and they change their cars every year.

Wayne

Don · #9 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 12:18 PM

From the F1 web site:

Hungry for Success - Exclusive Interview with Peter Windsor

" The US-based operation founded by Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson is one of three new teams due to join the grid for 2010. With their debut season rapidly approaching, more and more pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place for Team US, not least the recent announcement of YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley as a major backer. It brought the Charlotte-based squad to the attention of global media - and Windsor hopes it won’t be the last time…"

http://www.formula1.com/news/intervi...09/9/9875.html

Don · #10 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009, 12:44 PM

Appears a variety of different news sources are reporting favorable comments regarding US F1 for 2010:

MotorSport.com: 10-10-09

USF1 passes FIA inspection

" American Team Remains On Schedule to Compete in 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship............"

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=348493

USF1 says Charlotte headquarters 'complete'

" The new American team USF1 has moved to dispel persistent doubts about its chances of making its Grand Prix debut as scheduled next March. "

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=348427

Don · #11 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:37 AM

Source: AutoWeek.com

A different approach, NASCAR driver for the US F 1 Team:

" U.S. F1 team principal Peter Windsor says he thinks that NASCAR star Kyle Busch would be a perfect fit for his new Formula One team.
"If he wanted to drive for us in 2011, we'd certainly be keen on that," Windsor told USA Today.

"I think there'll be a lot of speculation about that as time goes on. If I was Kyle, I'd be saying to myself, 'Yeah, those guys all talk the talk, let's see what they do, let's see what the car's like. Let's see what the race shop is like.' Fair enough. We're going to do a good job. I know when Kyle gets to see it, I'm pretty sure it'll get his pulse rate going."

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...#ixzz0UmVGFQKJ

Wayne Maybury · #12 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 11:52 AM

Several years ago there was a lot of speculation that Jeff Gordon was thinking about F1 but it was quickly pointed out that he probably would not want to take the pay cut.

Wayne

Don · #13 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 12:03 PM

Wayne.....agree. It was also mentioned the politics etc of F1 would not be appealing. But now that there will be a US Team, might open up the opportunity that did not exist before, even though the learning curve would be very high. Kyle sure would be a different personality in F1.

Believe Jeff tested at Indy in a F1 car ( BMW ? ) a few years ago and w/o much practice turned very respectable lap times.

Might also help in returning a F1 race to the US

Dan40 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don

Wayne.....agree. It was also mentioned the politics etc of F1 would not be appealing. But now that there will be a US Team, might open up the opportunity that did not exist before, even though the learning curve would be very high. Kyle sure would be a different personality in F1.

Believe Jeff tested at Indy in a F1 car ( BMW ? ) a few years ago and w/o much practice turned very respectable lap times.

Might also help in returning a F1 race to the US

The only thing needed for a US race is MONEY! I'm old enough and fortunate enough to have attended many F1 races in the US. From Watkins Glen to the last fiasco in Dallas. Did not make the last Detroit race. But my understanding is that the promoter must pick up the tab for driver appearance money, freight for shipping the cars, air, hotel, and expenses for all the team members, 100% of the venue expenses, and the prize money.

Just an aside, I attended a school at the Glen prior to a F1 race. The guest instructors were C Shelby, J Clark and S Moss!! Shelby brought along a Daytona coupe and a Le Mans GT. LIFE is GOOD!

Don · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:23 PM

Dan40....

" But my understanding is that the promoter must pick up the tab for driver appearance money, freight for shipping the cars, air, hotel, and expenses for all the team members, 100% of the venue expenses, and the prize money "

Same understanding that you mention, George @ Indy could no longer afford the cost , with no help from Bernie, and had to cancel future races. Especially true since the newer tracks receive Government subsidy, maybe another use for the TARP funds.

Mentioned that the vendors/suppliers are not pleased with not having North America & US races, a big part of their market. Do not recall if Canada was able to get their date for 2010 race

Wayne Maybury · #16 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:30 PM

Dan, it looks like the Canadian Grand Prix is returning to Montreal next year. Bernie dropped Montreal in2009 when he thought that he could get lots more money in Turkey which turned out to be a total disaster. A lot of American F1 fans have attended the Montreal race over the years.

The car companies definitly want to have at least one race in North America and preferably 2, one in Canada and one in the US but with Bernie it is $$$$$$$.

Wayne

Wayne Maybury · #17 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:23 AM

I heard that Toyota is going to officially announce today or tomorrow that they are pulling out of F1. Budget cuts, budget cuts, if Toyota can't afford an F1 team I have to wonder, who can?????

Wayne

Wayne Maybury · #18 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 07:11 AM

It's official, Toyota is out of F1, so is BMW and Bridgestone (tire supplier, not a team). Of course Honda dropped out last year but several new teams have signed on for the 2010 season.

Wayne

Don · #19 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 08:10 AM

" F1 tensions resume after Toyota exit Racing series "
Date 2009-11-04
By Motorsport.com/GMM

" F1's governing body has expressed "concern" about Toyota's decision to quit the sport.

The Japanese carmaker only recently signed the new Concorde Agreement; a document binding the teams and the commercial rights holders with the FIA until 2012. "

Article:

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=351380

Don · #20 (**permalink**) 12-26-2009, 08:10 AM

.......with video

" Welcome to the world of US F1 Team! You are about to meet the first American F1 team to design and build its cars in the U.S.A. since Dan Gurney did so with his Eagle back in the ‘60s. A lot has changed since then.Or has it? "

http://www.usgpe.com/

http://www.usgpe.com/charlotte.html