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Andretti plugs grandson for US F1 ride
Source: Agencies |
February 26, 2009, Thursday
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THE founders of a new US-based Formula One team plan to hire a pair of American drivers, and Mario Andretti believes his grandson is the perfect choice to fill one of the seats.
Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, the principals behind the team they call USF1, officially announced their intent on Tuesday to run the 2010 schedule. The motorsports veterans said they'll base the team in Charlotte, home for most NASCAR teams, and scour the market for young American drivers.
"Who they are ... your guess is as good as mine," said Windsor, a former team manager for Ferrari and Williams. "But two American drivers, that's what we intend to do."
Windsor rattled off a prospect list of relatively unknown open-wheel drivers currently competing in lower ranks, the most notable being Jonathan Summerton, a 21-year-old racing in Europe in the A1GP Series.
Then he and Anderson turned to their dream list, which included former F1 driver Scott Speed, NASCAR star Kyle Busch and IndyCar glamor girl Danica Patrick. But Speed has said he has no interest in leaving NASCAR for an F1 return. Busch and Patrick both are willing to discuss the opportunity, but neither has been contacted by USF1 representatives.
Neither principal mentioned Marco Andretti, the budding IndyCar star and grandson of 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti.
But Mario Andretti called into the news conference to pitch his 22-year-old grandson. "Every time I mention Formula One, he says 'I'd give anything to have this opportunity,'" Andretti said. "If I were to design a Formula One driver today, I would design Marco. We'll see what the future brings for him."
Marco extended his contract with Andretti Green Racing last year.
Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, the principals behind the team they call USF1, officially announced their intent on Tuesday to run the 2010 schedule. The motorsports veterans said they'll base the team in Charlotte, home for most NASCAR teams, and scour the market for young American drivers.
"Who they are ... your guess is as good as mine," said Windsor, a former team manager for Ferrari and Williams. "But two American drivers, that's what we intend to do."
Windsor rattled off a prospect list of relatively unknown open-wheel drivers currently competing in lower ranks, the most notable being Jonathan Summerton, a 21-year-old racing in Europe in the A1GP Series.
Then he and Anderson turned to their dream list, which included former F1 driver Scott Speed, NASCAR star Kyle Busch and IndyCar glamor girl Danica Patrick. But Speed has said he has no interest in leaving NASCAR for an F1 return. Busch and Patrick both are willing to discuss the opportunity, but neither has been contacted by USF1 representatives.
Neither principal mentioned Marco Andretti, the budding IndyCar star and grandson of 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti.
But Mario Andretti called into the news conference to pitch his 22-year-old grandson. "Every time I mention Formula One, he says 'I'd give anything to have this opportunity,'" Andretti said. "If I were to design a Formula One driver today, I would design Marco. We'll see what the future brings for him."
Marco extended his contract with Andretti Green Racing last year.
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