kfyork

Good point and certainly a (somewhat) legitimate possibility.

However, since JV has hopped around so much in the last few years I have essentially discounted him as a fully viable candidate.

A.Wurz would bring stability and intelligence - minus the fanfare and celebrity that a driver like JV might - and would not add distraction to the task at hand.

ltc

A. What did I tell you about posts regarding MK?
B. Please consider changing your avatar...now would be a good time.

Thanks.

RDL

I think Jacque Villnueve is a very good potential.
I hope Patrick Long's prototype experience will carry some value.

ajcjr

Danica looks great in a swimsuit but i think she would get her @ss kicked in F1 (pardon my french), Marco no way, cmon he doesnt have it in Indy, look what happen to Seabass in F1 and he is much better than marco or danica. Graham i think could do it with the proper training, i think he has his head on straight and i also think his dad is a better coach than Mike Andretti is to Marco.

RDL

What about SeaBass for the European seat?

ew928

Mang. No Milka to keep Luca company.

OT question. Is it difficult to get a Superlicense for those hopefuls or do they need a season or two
of at least F2 or some other feeder series.

Villeneuf should be interesting if he's one of the choices.

ltc

Kimi was granted a Superlicense without a season or two in anything ...

kfyork

"...a "Super Licence", which is awarded on the basis of his past record in junior formulae and of his having a valid contract with a Formula One team which has entered the World Championship."

For a current example, Jules Bianchi - who some tip to replace Luca Badoer at Ferrari - "is dominating the Euro F3 series, the series which launched Sebastian Vettel into F1 in 2006. Bianchi could clinch that series as soon as the Spanish round on 20th September, which would give him a Superlicence."

For the FIA's full rundown on licensing, see the Appendix L to the International Sporting Code here: http://www.fia.com/resources/documen...pendix_L_a.pdf

kfyork

Kimi - after karting - did spend time in Formula Ford and Formula Renault. In the latter series he dominated over two seasons having an over fifty-percent win rate IIRC.

Further, from the aforementioned FIA Appendix L..

"or h): (exceptionally), has a record of results which is judged
suffi cient, unanimously, by the Bureau of the Formula One
Commission and has driven at least 300 km in a current Formula
One car at racing speeds, over a maximum period of 2 days,
certifi ed by the ASN of the country in which the test took place.
Only results obtained with single-seater formula cars will be taken
into consideration. Should the members of the Bureau not agree
unanimously, the Commission in its entirety will be consulted.
In this case, the complete application must be received by the FIA
at least 14 days before scrutineering for the fi rst FIA Formula One
World Championship event in which the candidate is to compete."

I cannot recall if Kimi did the requisite 300 km of testing; I can only assume he did...

wanna911

Watch out for tons of non-US born drivers applying for US citizenship to get the seat.

dp35

Why is John Edwards not mentioned, yet his teammate Summerton (who he's beating more often than not) is a front runner? Perhaps its because Summerton has more experience, including racing in Europe. Or is it because he fathered a love child with his mistress while running for president?

If Summerton is given the American race seat, then Edwards should be the #3.

Alexander Rossi is great too, but hasn't won at the level that Edwards has. What Rossi needs is funding to race in the Jr. formula series' on a good team. If you read his website, the car keeps breaking or having silly problems. He could be at risk of loosing career momentum if he doesn't get on a good team and win.

For the non-American driver, I hope they hire Wurz. He's practically an engineer, a great driver, seems like a good guy, and will likely some day be a team manager and/or owner. Outside of the cockpit, Wurz is a rising star in F1 IMO. You can't say that about any of the other candidates.

kfyork

I emboldened some of your text that I feel gives Jonathan the slight advantage over John as he had good showings in A1 GP and F3 EuroSeries (where many of the current F1 crop of drivers had experience in as well...).

Edwards' European open-wheel experience was fairly localized to German Formula Renault and some FR Euro Cup.

You're correct however that Edwards is a great talent. It is unfortunate that he was one of the ones kicked off the Red Bull American-driver-in-F1 bus...


Yes, he would be one of many possible candidates... Another would be Charlie Kimball (who has extensive European experience prior to his return Stateside this year to run IndyLights...).

The list is actually quite long of great possibilities..

Circuit Motorsports

Somebody with F1 experience who has a good record with developing a car will get the primary seat. With the beginning of the silly season the people who will be available are still very much up in the air.

Summerton along with a few of the other young open wheel drivers would be good choices for a second seat. The key with any of them would be to minimize the pressures and keep them in the learning mode for the first season or two in F1.

As for future drivers Rossi and Newgarden would be at the very top of my list. Newgarden is doing things in formula ford that no american has ever done winning FF festival and continually competing for the top step of the podium in all of his races.

Driver8

I have two words for you . . .

Boris Said


His father was a Formula One driver in the late 50's I believe.

LDadrenaline

boris said wouldnt fit in an F1 car.