USF1 -- F1's All-American Challenger

[dp35]

I agree that none of the 3 drivers I mentioned are ready for F1 right now. But in order to get ready they need financial backing so they can run GP2, F2, or similar.

I disagree that Kyle Busch will ever be capable of racing in F1. 24 is actually not young to start from scratch in today's racing world. Despite his talent, his lack of experience makes him unqualified to even test an F1 car IMO.

If they want to run him in a test for promotional reasons, that would make some sense. But Peter Windsor is saying that he thinks KB has what it takes to be WDC. No way.

Perhaps USF1 is making a deal with Toyota. That could give them cheaper or free engines if they run a Japanese driver. Since the US is Toyota's biggest market, it would make sense for them too, especially considering they're no longer supplying Williams. A Kyle Busch test could also be part of a Toyota deal. This would make sense of today's news of no American USF1 driver in 2010 and the KB (Toyota NASCAR driver) praise.

[johnny99]

Peter Windsor is off his head. KB is a bloody good driver, but Nascar is so far removed from F1, he hasn't got a rats chance of Q2, nevermind winning the WDC.


John

[Giblet]

I agree that none of the 3 drivers I mentioned are ready for F1 right now. But in order to get ready they need financial backing so they can run GP2, F2, or similar.

I disagree that Kyle Busch will ever be capable of racing in F1. 24 is actually not young to start from scratch in today's racing world. Despite his talent, his lack of experience makes him unqualified to even test an F1 car IMO.

If they want to run him in a test for promotional reasons, that would make some sense. But Peter Windsor is saying that he thinks KB has what it takes to be WDC. No way.

Perhaps USF1 is making a deal with Toyota. That could give them cheaper or free engines if they run a Japanese driver. Since the US is Toyota's biggest market, it would make sense for them too, especially considering they're no longer supplying Williams. A Kyle Busch test could also be part of a Toyota deal. This would make sense of today's news of no American USF1 driver in 2010 and the KB (Toyota NASCAR driver) praise.

The current trend of putting 19 year olds in F1 cars is pretty new. 24 is not too old by a long shot. There is time for 15 seasons if he is good enough.

As well, nobody gets F1 experience without making to F1, or being on the cusp. Kimi Raikonnen, who is a really freakin' good driver, only had 23 races in Formula Renault before making it to F1.

Pure talent is pure talent, and if Busch has it, then he is capable of driving an F1 car. Likely more than capable.

He can beat JPM in Nascar, and JPM is one of the most talented drivers ever. NASCAR is not easy like so many people think.

[dp35]

Kimi's experience was F1 relevant. Kyle Busch thus far has zero experience racing open wheel cars, has never raced in Europe, and has almost no road course experience either. It would be a long uphill climb, and I doubt that a guy with his money, fame, and ego has the tenacity & patience to overcome the obstacles, despite all the talent in the world.

IF he were ever able to even finish mid pack in F1, especially in an American F1 car, he'd be the biggest name in US motorsports. IF he could ever become WDC, he could stand next to Mario Andretti, Phil Hill, AJ Foyt, etc, among the greatest American drivers ever. That would be great. Won't happen.

[Giblet]

I see what you mean, but Kimi's experience was open wheel but barely F1 relevant. In fact, the only reason he was granted a super license was Peter Sauber vouching for his performance. ~200hp in those Renaults. They are mechanical grip biased cars, not aero biased cars.

I would say that driving a big heavy NASCAR around a road course with around ~800hp (I think, don't follow NASCAR) is quite a challenge, and takes buttloads of talent.

I do see what you mean, it _probably_ won't happen, but could. I would love to see him in a test and see, just for kicks.

If Jeff Gordon was younger, I would go after him instead. Too bad that the US is so behind in cultivating circuit racers.

[dp35]

It really is too bad that we seem to have given up on developing young open wheel or road racing drivers. You can't blame the drivers, because there's big money to be made by simply qualifying in NASCAR, vs. small money for winning IRL.

We'd probably agree that Sebastien Loeb is another super-human talent. Yet he was unable to run the pace of even the below-average GP2 drivers, and was denied an FIA Superlicense. Perhaps if he spent a year or two racing open wheel cars it would be different. But big stars don't have that much patience. I would predict a similar result if Kyle Busch ever attempted F1.

[modbaraban]

Peter Windsor is off his head. KB is a bloody good driver, but Nascar is so far removed from F1, he hasn't got a rats chance of Q2, nevermind winning the WDC.


John

Peter Windsor is making news about USF1 out of nothing AGAIN.

[lebesset]

valentino rossi is one of the all time greats of motorcycle racing and is at the peak of his powers
would I expect him to make a F1 driver ? ....frankly , no
he would have to go and learn his trade first , and he surely isn't going to do that

there is probably more of a difference between nascar and F1 than there is between motoGP and F1 !!

[modbaraban]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJTynvakZok[/youtube]

[jddh1]

I'm going to start compiling a list of Kyle Busch's results in Nascar road races. It would be interesting to see how he stacks up, especially to see how many places he's made up from starting position, on track passes and crashes.
I'll probably do it tomorrow as right now i'm really busy at work and in the evening I'm going out. Later.

[modbaraban]

Will you include Donald Duck and Danica Patrick in your lovely charts?

[Roger the knife]

Looking at all the negative press regarding USF1, Bernie's comments on the Beeb that they aren't going to be there, Ross Brawn's comments regarding the lack of component testing, and Windsor's refusal to agree to a "non-sale" of 2010 grid slot

http://www.motorsport.com/news/article. ... 1439&FS=F1

I was wondering of this is really just smoke n' mirrors project, and the real intention of Peter and Kenny was to get the licence, and then sell it on to someone desperate to get in to next years championship ie. Sauber, and now with the demise of Toyota, their plans may come unravelled. What happens to their licence if they don't appear at the first race, does it revert back to the FIA, or do USF1 still retain it to sell on ebay

[Jersey Tom]

I was wondering of this is really just smoke n' mirrors project, and the real intention of Peter and Kenny was to get the licence, and then sell it on to someone desperate to get in to next years championship

That seems like a stretch...

[Roger the knife]

Maybe it is stretching it a bit, but both have dodgy track records in racing, and the lack of "real" progress seems more than a little bit strange.

Unless someone from within the USA can really shed some light on this?

[RacingManiac]

While I don't think it is a stretch, I find it odd that only USF1 is under this kind of speculation and scruitiny. Campos, Manor or Lotus doesn't seem to be that far ahead of things neither....