USF1 confirms its entry into the 2010 championship

The plans of USF1 have been officially announced by the team, which hopes to be on the starting grid at the beginning of the 2010 season. The team, led by Peter Windsor, former F1 executive, and Ken Anderson, will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina, but will have a base in Europe, likely in Spain.

The team, currently known simply as USF1, has the mission of proving that American technology, American drivers, and the American competitive spirit can be effective and competitive on the international stage through Formula 1.

Although it has not yet made any firm decisions regarding the drivers or the engine supplier, the team intends to fully benefit from Formula 1 races, particularly thanks to cost reduction measures. These will allow for healthy and efficient operations management.

« One solution to build a team is to be incredibly rich, » Windsor said during a press conference announcing the project.

« Or you have the chance to be invited by a major car manufacturer to set up an F1 team for them, » he added.

« Ken and I are quite lucky, we have always wanted to create our own team, in our own way. It may seem very arrogant, but we have some experience and we know what it takes to get into F1 and do it in the best possible way. »

Windsor and Anderson say they have put plans in place to raise the necessary capital, part of which would come from a partnership.

« We are two guys who want to build an F1 team because we have the capital to do so, and to some extent, the recession helps us. We have always had a very different approach and this one fits better in these difficult times. »

The recent ban on in-season testing combined with the number of Grand Prix outside Europe helps the duo avoid finding a permanent location in Europe to deal with potential logistical issues.

« To begin with, most of the technology in F1 comes from the United States, and regarding logistics, this year, less than half of the races take place in Europe, so there is less reason to be present on this continent, » continued Anderson.

« Moreover, the cost of doing business in the United States is significantly lower than in Europe and there are many competent people here. »

Windsor, former head of the Williams team, is currently better known as the F1 commentator on American television. He will take the position of sporting director, while American engineer Anderson will have the role of technical director, a position he previously held with the Ligier team in Formula 1 in the 1980s.