The USF1 thread
11/26/09, 10:47 PM
#1
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
The USF1 thread
Hey guys, haven't been around for a while but I just wanted to update you guys on the new American F1 team that's planning to be on the grid in 2010.
They have basically signed their first driver, Jose Maria Lopez, aka Pechito.
This pic is Ken Anderson, Pechito Lopez and Peter Windsor standing in front of their new headquarters sign in Charlotte.
This contradicts Peter Windsor saying just a few months ago that they were not going to have pay drivers. But I am still holding out hope that they will be something that I can get behind, despite Peter Windsor and his double talk.
Now for the fun part. I don't know if you guys have seen the video updates from the USF1 headquarters, but this is hilarious.
Day one of the brave new world of USF1.
USF1 day 2 - Ken gets worried
USF1 day 3 - Steve from SPEED TV comes to visit
USF1 day 4 - Ken is still worried but Peter is inspired!
USF1 day 5 - Peter wants to redesign the car - again!
USF1 day 7 - Mike from Team Lotus comes to visit
USF1 day 7 - Peter Goes Shopping!
They have basically signed their first driver, Jose Maria Lopez, aka Pechito.
This pic is Ken Anderson, Pechito Lopez and Peter Windsor standing in front of their new headquarters sign in Charlotte.
Jose Maria Lopez, the star of Argentine racing at the moment, has signed a contract with USF1. This is dependent on him bringing $11m to the team and, presumably, being able to get an F1 Superlicence from the team. According to the locals, Lopez has already raised $8.8m and needs $2.2m more to get the drive.
USF1 is keen on Lopez for three reasons: Firstly, as there are no American drivers with suitable qualifications at the moment, a South American is the best option; secondly, Lopez has access to considerable funding; and thirdly, USF1 partner Peter Windsor is a close friend of former Argentine F1 driver-turned-politician Carlos Reutemann, who has been pushing Lopez’s career since first seeing him in karting back in 1999.
USF1 is keen on Lopez for three reasons: Firstly, as there are no American drivers with suitable qualifications at the moment, a South American is the best option; secondly, Lopez has access to considerable funding; and thirdly, USF1 partner Peter Windsor is a close friend of former Argentine F1 driver-turned-politician Carlos Reutemann, who has been pushing Lopez’s career since first seeing him in karting back in 1999.
Now for the fun part. I don't know if you guys have seen the video updates from the USF1 headquarters, but this is hilarious.
Day one of the brave new world of USF1.
USF1 day 2 - Ken gets worried
USF1 day 3 - Steve from SPEED TV comes to visit
USF1 day 4 - Ken is still worried but Peter is inspired!
USF1 day 5 - Peter wants to redesign the car - again!
USF1 day 7 - Mike from Team Lotus comes to visit
USF1 day 7 - Peter Goes Shopping!
11/27/09, 05:05 AM
#2
Thanks for posting!! I hadn't seen the videos. Looking forward to next season! I think Lopez is a good signing, and I forgive Peter for his "double talk." I would like Alexander Rossi to have one more year experience in GP2, and then sign with USF1!
11/27/09, 07:51 PM
#3
Great News!!!
11/28/09, 01:26 PM
#4
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Lots of rumors going around, and I'm starting to have my doubts. I'm not encouraged by the signing of a no-name ride buyer, but still hoping to be pleasantly surprised next season.
12/22/09, 10:49 PM
#5
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
USF1's first chassis is out of the autoclave
BTW, that's Nick Craw sitting by the new chassis. He's the FIA Senate President under Jean Todt. Apparently he's the one who is checking on the new teams to see if progress is being made.
FIA’s Nick Craw Visits Wind Tunnel
Despite a lack of news coming from United States based Formula One entry USF1, the team is on track to make the opening round of the F1 season this March in Bahrain.
This from sources close to the team who have visited USF1's headquarters on several occasions this fall.
Sources tell RacingWire, “(The team) has a steep hill to climb but they will be on the grid in Bahrain.”
The steep hill is due in part to the six month delay in signing of the Concorde Agreement.
The team has paid its $450,000 entry fee for the 2010 season and their first chassis came out of the autoclave this past Friday.
RacingWire has also learned the team's website is due to go live soon.
This from sources close to the team who have visited USF1's headquarters on several occasions this fall.
Sources tell RacingWire, “(The team) has a steep hill to climb but they will be on the grid in Bahrain.”
The steep hill is due in part to the six month delay in signing of the Concorde Agreement.
The team has paid its $450,000 entry fee for the 2010 season and their first chassis came out of the autoclave this past Friday.
RacingWire has also learned the team's website is due to go live soon.
BTW, that's Nick Craw sitting by the new chassis. He's the FIA Senate President under Jean Todt. Apparently he's the one who is checking on the new teams to see if progress is being made.
FIA’s Nick Craw Visits Wind Tunnel
12/23/09, 10:43 PM
#10
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
Yes the money and the link to Carlos Reutemann. From Joe Saward's site:
I did read today that they are placing young Americans in all the feeder series around the world (GP2, F2, etc.) to have them ready for the future. TBH, it would be a career killer to put a promising young driver in a startup F1 team. My opinion is that they will be fighting for the best of the four new entrants next year and they need to establish themselves before they bring in the talent we have over here. Who knows, they could show up with a very fast car, but why take that chance. The odds are well against that with the established teams. Either way, I will be pulling for them next year.
That being said, I do think that Jonathan Summerton has a good chance with the team next year. If not as a driver then with a testing role.
BTW, does anybody else think that this new chassis has a resemblance to the Falcon, the IRL chassis that Ken Anderson was involved with that never raced?
IRL Falcon:
USF1 chassis:
There is little doubt that if Lopez has been signed by USF1 it will be for sponsorship and it remains to be seen whether he will be granted a superlicence. The link with USF1 appears to be by way of Peter Windsor and Carlos Reutemann. Windsor has long been a big fan of Reutemann and it seems that the Argentine racer-turned-politician has a high regard for Lopez.
That being said, I do think that Jonathan Summerton has a good chance with the team next year. If not as a driver then with a testing role.
BTW, does anybody else think that this new chassis has a resemblance to the Falcon, the IRL chassis that Ken Anderson was involved with that never raced?
IRL Falcon:
USF1 chassis:
12/24/09, 03:25 AM
#11
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
1/8/10, 07:47 AM
#13
U.S. F1 team to make track debut in Alabama
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/080120...t-alabama.html
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/080120...t-alabama.html
The new U.S. F1 team will make their test debut in Alabama early next month before joining rivals in Europe, sporting director Peter Windsor said on Friday.
"Because we are a new team and start everything from zero, the first time we will run the car will be in the United States at the Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama," he told the formula1.com website.
"We've got the dispensation from the (governing) FIA, which is fantastic, because we are not based in Europe.
"We are the only team that does have a test circuit outside Europe, so it is totally logical for us that we run the car the first time in the United States at the beginning of February," added Windsor.
The season starts in Bahrain on March 14 and Windsor envisaged three tests in America before further testing in Spain.
The team, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, have yet to announce any drivers but Windsor said that was immine
"Because we are a new team and start everything from zero, the first time we will run the car will be in the United States at the Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama," he told the formula1.com website.
"We've got the dispensation from the (governing) FIA, which is fantastic, because we are not based in Europe.
"We are the only team that does have a test circuit outside Europe, so it is totally logical for us that we run the car the first time in the United States at the beginning of February," added Windsor.
The season starts in Bahrain on March 14 and Windsor envisaged three tests in America before further testing in Spain.
The team, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, have yet to announce any drivers but Windsor said that was immine
1/9/10, 08:08 PM
#14
I'll be there even if I have to jump the fence.
1/14/10, 03:43 PM
#17
Mach 1 Member
Thread Starter
That would be something, wouldn't it? Cosworth heads for the new 5.0? Hmmm..... 