http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option=com_c...&Itemid=156



Danica Patrick, although not the best driver for the job, would be great for F1 in America. People love her and she is just the kind of driver that could pull in massive American fans into the sport. I was never really impressed with her driving, but if Hans Stuck thinks otherwise, who am I to tell him he's wrong?

http://www.f1sa.com/index.php?option=com_c...&Itemid=156



This sounds much more promising. But, sadly, I don't think Honda will have a chance at podium until at least next season. They are doing the right things, getting Brawn, dumping Barrichello, but I think they still have a ways to go.

Not to take away any hopes but I think chances are slim for both Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti. I'm not in a position to rate Danica but if you say that she is, lets say, mid-range then I doubt she will find a seat. "Strietzel" Stuck is a polite man and her driving actually might be just good enough for staying in a seat but it won't find her a new one in F1.

Last year's F1 test from Marco has been satisfying but not particularly impressing if I recall this correctly. And this is simply not enough today. He can consider himself lucky if he gets the Honda seat but I don't see a seat in a car that can win championships.

Look at Sebastien Bourdais. He wiped the floor with the other Champ Car drivers but he had to wait veeery long until he got a seat at Scuderia Toro Rosso, and they are not exactly championship contenders either.

It also seems to me that the days of jumping into F1 may be coming to a close.

It seems that teams are now moving toward a system where they select and groom drivers from a very young age. But this is just an observation that I have made based on recent events, and isn't backed up by anyone who actually knows anything.

The only teams that can really invest in a youngster to come up the ranks and to take a seat in F1 are the ones loaded with money... so, yeah, maybe the front runners can really do that but definitely not the lower end of the teams. There's always going to be that struggling team at the back of the grid always looking for that cash infusion and decent driver to jump in.

Also, Stuck is just one of many, many, many drivers of the past who always offer a "quote of the day" to the media about some driver who deserves or belongs or will no doubt make it to F1. Nothing new and nothing but empty fluff.

Errm sorry, Phix, but Stuck isn't just a driver from the past who is desperately trying to make it into the headlines. Yes, he often delivers amusing one-liners but the guy is always funny, has more practical jokes on stock than Gerhard Berger (which means quite something) and he is an absolute race animal when it comes to driving. He is one of my heroes and not because of his achievements in F1.

Right, and I can say the exact same thing about Niki Lauda and Jackie Stewart.

Not to say Danica has no talent, but I don't think she'd make the cut in F1.

There was talk of Jeff Gordon making the move for a bit, but it didn't work out due to concerns over his family and career...it was basically just a little too late in his life to pursue F1. But it sounded like he had what it would take to at least be competitive in F1.

Jeff Gordon in Montoya's F1 car back in 2002.

Good post! I had herd about that but never seen it. I love how Gordan's head flys forward in the braking zone coming off of the straight. I want to see more of this kind of stuff.


Back on topic: I know that both of these drivers are long shots, but I really want to see another American in F1. I miss Scotty, and feel like the guy never really got his chance, just the same way I think Bourdais should have waited for another team. STR is a career killer, and the only reason Vettel is moving forward is because of his drive for BMW last year.

Why would you miss Scott? Aside from the fact that he was your countryman, Scott Speed had very few redeeming qualities. He was often out-qualified by his teammate, crashed the car as often as it broke, never scored a single point and got in silly childish fights with other drivers and his own team. F1 is better without him. About the only positive thing I can say about him is that when he did manage to finish, he often did so in a better position than he qualified in.

Also, I don't think STR is a career killer, so long as you don't follow Scott Speed's example. There is no better demonstration of your character, IMHO, than to get into a sub-par car and perform beyond expectation.

I'm going to have to agree with Bjorn here.

Scuderia Toro Rosso is most certainly NOT a career killer... Super Aguri is. Just imagine how Anthony Davidson feels. He waited so long for a proper chance to race and now who knows if Super Aguri will even last until the end of the season.

Seems that was rumour monging by Bild. Again!

AGR: "Please, what??"