View Poll Results: USF1 Driver Speculation - Who do you think should get a seat?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll
USF1 Driver Speculation
08-26-2009, 05:57 PM
#48
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Lewis, you may get your wish. My take is that the driver will be someone who can bring huge bags of sponsorship money. Driving talent is secondary.
A pal of mine has a son who was a star in karting, won the Canadian and US championships. Went to Europe and discovered dad did not have enough money to campaign there. we are talking cubic dollars. In North America his budget was "only" 100K in spite of sponsorship from Rotax, (free motors with $600 spark plugs!), chassis builders etc.
He was invited to drive for the top Formula Atlantic team. The catch was that he was required to bring 1.25 million in sponsorship. Oops!
My gut is that the US F1 team will have to go a similar route.
A pal of mine has a son who was a star in karting, won the Canadian and US championships. Went to Europe and discovered dad did not have enough money to campaign there. we are talking cubic dollars. In North America his budget was "only" 100K in spite of sponsorship from Rotax, (free motors with $600 spark plugs!), chassis builders etc.
He was invited to drive for the top Formula Atlantic team. The catch was that he was required to bring 1.25 million in sponsorship. Oops!
My gut is that the US F1 team will have to go a similar route.
08-26-2009, 05:58 PM
#49
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Montoya perhaps - NASCAR has made him an "american". Needs to go on a diet though
08-26-2009, 06:37 PM
#50
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And then there's the total race weight to consider . . .
08-26-2009, 06:37 PM
#51
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08-26-2009, 06:54 PM
#53
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Back on topic...I would love to see Long in the seat as he has the grace and a proven winner in his past performances. Plus I have a pic with him so would be nice to say I have a pic with a F1 Driver.
08-26-2009, 08:05 PM
#54
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Lewis, you may get your wish. My take is that the driver will be someone who can bring huge bags of sponsorship money. Driving talent is secondary.
A pal of mine has a son who was a star in karting, won the Canadian and US championships. Went to Europe and discovered dad did not have enough money to campaign there. we are talking cubic dollars. In North America his budget was "only" 100K in spite of sponsorship from Rotax, (free motors with $600 spark plugs!), chassis builders etc.
He was invited to drive for the top Formula Atlantic team. The catch was that he was required to bring 1.25 million in sponsorship. Oops!
My gut is that the US F1 team will have to go a similar route.
A pal of mine has a son who was a star in karting, won the Canadian and US championships. Went to Europe and discovered dad did not have enough money to campaign there. we are talking cubic dollars. In North America his budget was "only" 100K in spite of sponsorship from Rotax, (free motors with $600 spark plugs!), chassis builders etc.
He was invited to drive for the top Formula Atlantic team. The catch was that he was required to bring 1.25 million in sponsorship. Oops!
My gut is that the US F1 team will have to go a similar route.
08-26-2009, 08:28 PM
#55
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Red Bull's development program first brought along drivers like Speed and Luizzi, but later produced Vettel. Too bad RB gave up on the American F1 driver program.
Speaking of American RB driver development, what if USF1 stole a top dirt track prospect like Cole Whitt? Of course he wouldn't be F1 ready for years, but he's got a good start.
08-26-2009, 08:33 PM
#56
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Hey, at least I got to see my son test a FBMW at Miller Motorsport Park at 15 yrs old.... just wish his mother had come out for that race/test.
Never in a million years did I ever think I would see something like that.
FBMW: $380K/season + expenses + travel + damage...figure you are over $500K before you even start thinking about anything. That is enough $ to probably go thru 8 years of college!
I was told that even VW TDI Cup racing is $45K entry fee + damages (no insurance...although they do just charge cost for parts and include free labor....$5,000 then $7500 then $12,500 out of pocket if you total the car I think....) + travel + expenses....
In the end, you are correct.
It isn't about talent, or a team owner 'taking a flyer on a kid', it's all about paid drives, even at the 'kid' level.
08-26-2009, 08:34 PM
#57
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A pal of mine has a son who was a star in karting, won the Canadian and US championships. Went to Europe and discovered dad did not have enough money to campaign there. we are talking cubic dollars. In North America his budget was "only" 100K in spite of sponsorship from Rotax, (free motors with $600 spark plugs!), chassis builders etc.
He was invited to drive for the top Formula Atlantic team. The catch was that he was required to bring 1.25 million in sponsorship. Oops!
He was invited to drive for the top Formula Atlantic team. The catch was that he was required to bring 1.25 million in sponsorship. Oops!
08-26-2009, 09:48 PM
#58
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So what US companies have such deeeeeeeep pockets?
Google?
Microsoft?
Boeing?
(think the financial sector sunk their own boat and the car companies don't got the monies or dare)
Exxon/Mobil?
Not sure if the drug companies can pull off a Viagra F1 sponsorship.
If F1 wasn't so pricey an M&M F1 car would be hilarious.
Google?
Microsoft?
Boeing?
(think the financial sector sunk their own boat and the car companies don't got the monies or dare)
Exxon/Mobil?
Not sure if the drug companies can pull off a Viagra F1 sponsorship.
If F1 wasn't so pricey an M&M F1 car would be hilarious.
08-26-2009, 10:00 PM
#59
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IIRC, it was discussed that the founder of Youtube has become an investor in USF1....I'm guessing those are substantial pockets.
Sir Richard Branson has substantial pockets as well, but has kept his sponsorship costs to Brawn GP very reasonable.
Sir Richard Branson has substantial pockets as well, but has kept his sponsorship costs to Brawn GP very reasonable.
08-26-2009, 10:03 PM
#60
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