USF1 -- F1's All-American Challenger

[xpensive]

I think the point of this forum is to pass your opinion as it is and respect others, at least I try to make it mine.

Perhaps something other individuals should try once in a while?

[Pup]

Look, it's silly to say with any certainty at this point that USF1 won't make the grid.

It's far sillier, however, to pretend that they don't have a rather serious image problem right now. It's a problem that is almost certainly affecting their ability to retain sponsors and drivers.

And it is their own fault. When Bernie dissed their efforts, they should have just put out a press release saying that it's a good thing Bernie was shut out of Brawn, because its obvious that he has little idea of what's involved in running an F1 team; and that he'd be well advised to pay more attention to the financial future of his own little operation before casting stones across the Atlantic. Instead they defensively released photos that did not definitively dispel his accusations, which naturally led to more speculation. Their response to the added speculation? Repeat the same blunder with the video.

So now, like it or not, they're the joke of the paddock which, as I said, will make it all the more difficult to find sponsors and drivers. So, yes, the video (and the photos) hurt more than they helped. By a long shot.

The irony, of course, is that their only sponsor to date is, in fact, their marketing agency.

[Mystery Steve]

If a company is making financial decisions based on a cartoon youtube video by some guy in his free time, then they have more important things to consider than potential F1 sponsorship.

Was their response to Bernie necessarily the best from a tactical perspective? Probably not. Does it matter? No. Public image problem or not; if they take a potential sponsor through their facilities and can show that they are a viable operation then negotiations will go further. End of story.

[Pup]

But the sponsor isn't only interested in USF1's ability to make the grid. That's just the baseline. Sponsors will naturally be less eager to associate themselves with a team that doesn't have a good image. How much less eager? Who knows? My point is that it's just one more obstacle that they've created in the middle of what is already a very difficult task.

The entire concept of USF1 is already a strike against them, imo. They've aimed their product at Americans. OK, but who is their real market, their sponsor market? The problem is that there isn't enough interest in America for a company to market itself towards US consumers through F1, at least not at the level of financing required in this sport. There are just far better options for them elsewhere. And a US company that wants to market itself in Europe? Well, they'd be better off sponsoring a European team, wouldn't they? A European company marketing to Europeans? Then why put your brand on an "American effort"?

This is why I think the whole 'national team' thing is daft, regardless of who's doing it. Oh, it's a cool idea to us fans, but unfortunately, that doesn't make it a good business plan. Is USF1 good for F1? Yes, if they can make it work. But Windsor can't run a charity effort for Bernie to open up the US market. And if they fail, it will set back F1 in the US; not as much as the USGP scandal, but likely it will have an effect.

Again, I don't know if they'll make it or not - I definitely hope they do. They may turn around tomorrow with a load of sponsors and a swimming pool full of cash. More power to them if they do. But I personally think that's unlikely. I think they started out on the wrong path; and imo, they seem to be making a habit of putting themselves in a worse position. Which all makes me wonder just what kind of business advice Windsor has sought, and whether or not he's listened to any of it.

[Pandamasque]

Yesterday USF1 cartoon creators mentioned receiving an email from a USF1 insider, about how close the cartoons were to reality. No names or facts were mentioned on air though. I quote:

- ...you know how you think you've done the wackiest thing you can. And then you find out it's even wackier in real life?
- Yes...
- That's USF1!

[ESPImperium]

Yesterday USF1 cartoon creators mentioned receiving an email from a USF1 insider, about how close the cartoons were to reality. No names or facts were mentioned on air though. I quote:

- ...you know how you think you've done the wackiest thing you can. And then you find out it's even wackier in real life?
- Yes...
- That's USF1!

Day 2 and Day 4 are my personal favrouites. With Day 6 being the best of the lot.

[Mystery Steve]

But the sponsor isn't only interested in USF1's ability to make the grid. That's just the baseline. Sponsors will naturally be less eager to associate themselves with a team that doesn't have a good image. How much less eager? Who knows?

This is a point we just plain disagree on. I'll concede that a square inch of ad area on a USF1 car will not be as valuable as say a Mclaren or Ferrari just because they won't have as much TV air time during the race since they won't be at the front as often. However, it's no secret that USF1 is going to be operating on a lower budget so their income requirements won't be as great as the bigger teams. However, in the states, we also have SpeedTV which encompasses nearly all of the F1 coverage in these parts, and no doubt they will cover USF1 extensively (fairly or not) being an "American" team, so they will get some air time there at least.

If they can just get a car running reliably the first year, and maybe even score a couple points, I would consider it a successful season. That's just the nature of starting a new team from scratch.

[Pup]

Perhaps. And again, I hope they succeed.

SpeedTV is a double-edged sword, though, imo. Their blabbering on about Scott Speed a few years back turned me off on the kid almost immediately.

btw, there's a good article on them at http://www.racintoday.com right now, an interview with Ken Anderson. It paints the team in the best light I've seen yet.

[tc9604]

You'd think they'd hire a webmaster. In this day and age, if you don't have a website, you don't exist. I mean really, the kid down the street in the neighborhood can put up something. Their business model included open access, etc. etc.

I reaaly REALLY hope they make it. But... I'm beginning to have my doubts too.

BS. If you're a well-established motorsport professional you don't need a website, or certainly not a fancy one. You have substantial networking.

Doug Milliken doesn't need a fancy website. If Carroll Smith were still around he wouldn't either.

I think this article from Joe Saward last month is pretty relevant and hits the nail on the head. There's no denying that teams do rely heavily on their corporate image to get investment.
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2009/10/ ... rouble-is/

[Jersey Tom]

But the sponsor isn't only interested in USF1's ability to make the grid. That's just the baseline. Sponsors will naturally be less eager to associate themselves with a team that doesn't have a good image. How much less eager? Who knows? My point is that it's just one more obstacle that they've created in the middle of what is already a very difficult task.

I really don't think so.

[xpensive]

I think nationalistic sentiments are playing a serious role in how people appreciate USF1, when I hear similar arguments from some Australians as from Americans, probably beacause Windsor is grew up in Sydney.

The managing director of Mercedes High Performance Engines happens to be Swedish btw, not that I could care less.

[Mystery Steve]

Actually, I personally couldn't care less if they were based in the United States. Makes no difference to me as I'm not one of those god-fearing, flag-waving, overly patriotic Americans. I'm an internationalist who thinks that nationalities are overrated in the grand scheme of things. After all, we're all just a bunch of monkeys.

Regardless, I hope they achieve some measure of success, and not because they are USF1 and representing the U.S., but because there are hundreds of people (not all American) working there giving everything they have to put a car on the grid that can at least keep a decent pace next year.

[Roger the knife]

Latest news suggests that USF1 has done some preliminary crash testing. From an interview with Jonathon Ingram on Motorsport.com

"On the road again: This week's Q &A comes from a visit with US F1 owner and designer Ken Anderson last week at the team's shops in Huntersville, N.C., where Anderson was in the middle of preparations for the US F1 debut at the Formula One season opener next March in Bahrain.

Among other things, Anderson said he does not expect to finish the remaining crash tests for the nosebox and rear of US F1's car until late December or early January, choosing instead to spend more time on design. (The lateral test is complete.)

Q: How concerned are you about passing the FIA's mandated crash tests?

Anderson: "It's actually quite easy to pass if you design the parts right. Whatever piece it is, if it weighs ten pounds it will easily pass. But if it weighs nine pounds, eight pounds... . Toyota had 800 people and they had entire departments trying to save an ounce here and an ounce there.

"If you try to save 10 ounces so you can put more tungsten in the bottom of the car, that's a good thing. We're not going to lose the world championship next year because our crash structures are four ounces more than Ferrari's. It doesn't behoove us to go to the last gram.

"We're not going to spend six months crashing 50 noses."

So, they must have a chassis done by now

[Richard]

Interesting mix of grams and ounces!

I hope they do get to the grid.

[xpensive]

I love this part best, a very astute comment indeed by mr Anderson.

Q: How concerned are you about passing the FIA's mandated crash tests?

Anderson: "It's actually quite easy to pass if you design the parts right.