USF1: An Update on the Driver Situation

USF1 has admitted that its dream of seeing at least two American drivers race in Formula 1 would be unattainable, at least for 2010. The team originally hoped to sign two top American drivers for their first season in F1. Many possibilities were mentioned, including Graham Rahal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and Danica Patrick. Until recently, everything seemed possible, but in the past few days, the dream appears to be shattered.

Peter Windsor, the team director, had stated that due to the delays the project suffered, caused by the late signing of the Concorde Agreements, USF1 will definitely have a non-American driver.

Due to all the time we have lost, our ambition to have young American drivers race seems even more difficult, Windsor complained. I still hope to be able to have an American race, but it’s difficult because few of our drivers possess a super license [essential to drive in F1].

Windsor, however, insists that in the long term, the team’s goal remains to have a lineup composed only of American drivers. He has been impressed by some young drivers such as Jonathan Summerton in A1 GP or JR Hildebrand, champion of the Indy Light category, the stepping stone to the IndyCar Series. He explained that if the team did not get American drivers in 2010, USF1 would set up a development program for young drivers reserved for Americans.

Petre Windsor adds: « We make sure to be disciplined enough to set aside money to help them in what they accomplish, whether in Formula BMW in Europe, Formula Ford 2000 in the United States, or even in GP2. This last category is expensive, but I hope we can find enough money to fund some of them. »

His dream of having a pair of American drivers race not being possible this year, Peter Windsor is therefore turning to the search for a more experienced driver, capable of setting the team on the right track, such as Pedro De La Rosa, already strongly linked to Campos Meta. Franck Montagny, who impressed Peter Windsor with his car development skills, or Alexander Wurz are also his priority targets.

« It’s a huge benefit to have an experienced driver to give us a boost in the first year, » exclaimed Windsor. « You might wonder how it could be otherwise, but it’s a nice feeling for a new team to see two young drivers grow at the same pace. However, it takes more time than we have. It will be interesting to see how useful an experienced driver can be. »

Let’s hope that talented drivers like Anthony Davidson, James Green, and Gary Paffett all get a chance in F1, as it’s sad to see that so many talented drivers haven’t been able to show their skills on the track.