Thread: Driver pairing for Team US F1

Who do you think the driver pairing should be for Team US F1?

Here are the guidelines:

There needs to be at least ONE American driver (it is up to you if you want to nominate two Americans for both seats)

The driver choices need to be realistic, budget wise. (Helio is realistic but Alonso is not, so no saying you would buy Kimi out of his $25M contract with Ferrari)

Basically it will see who we think the unsung heroes of F1 are. (Yes you can bring guys like Christian Klein out of the wood work or drivers that you think are setting the world on fire in lower formulas like GP2, A1GP, F2, etc)

Also would like to note that these people can be from ANY series, be it Patrick Long from ALMS and FIA GT to Sebastian Loeb from WRC.

I have a feeling a lot of you are going to have some great pairings, so lets hear em.

Wow, some tuff choices.

I would think it wise to sign up one seasoned (in F1) driver and obviously the american driver would be a rookie to the F1 circus.

IMO: the seasoned driver needs to be GP2 or F1 caliber to show form in their first season. When I look at the current crop of F1 drivers, up until recently, Vettel was underrated and I believe Nico Rossberg is also faster than his equipment allows. Christian Klien was always fast, but prone to make mistakes.

As far as the American driver? I think Jeff Gordon would have done well had he gone to europe when he was in his 20's. As far as the current Indy car group, Graham Rahal is the right age and his father is no stranger to F1 (managing director of Jag F1 for a season)

I'm gonna say (at this time) the driver line up for USGP should be: Nico Rossberg and Graham Rahal.

How about Valentino Rossi?

Source: Motorsport.

Valentino Rossi has indicated he might be willing to switch to Formula One in 2011 if Ferrari will run a third car.

At the press conference with Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone in Paris last Wednesday, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told reporters that part of the peace deal was an indication that the works teams are prepared to field three cars apiece.

Multiple MotoGP champion Rossi, an Italian, has tested Ferraris before and a few years ago openly considered replacing Rubens Barrichello at the Maranello outfit.

The 30-year-old remains under contract to Yamaha for 2010, but amid the FOTA-FIA war, it was rumoured that wherever Ferrari was headed in the near future, Rossi could be part of the plans.

"I am quite happy about it, it could happen in 2011 -- why not?" he is quoted as saying by Italian media.

Rossi indicated that Ferrari running a third car in Formula One could be his opportunity to switch to four wheels.

"In 2010 I have a contract with Yamaha so it would be difficult or even impossible. What's more, Ferrari do not have a third car and I have taken no decision about changing sport," he added.

I say bring in Juan Pablo Montoya as the vet and Graham or my good american buddies AJ Allmendinger or Jonathan Bomarito.

Dinger said he wasnt interested :-(

Bomars wouldnt be bad, but how old is he now?

Scott Speed and Danica Patrick ... that i would watch

don't they want american drivers???
haha me and robbie!

Originally Posted by MMR

don't they want american drivers???
haha me and robbie!

yes, MMR should be next in line too... i don't think they'll pick me, i'm not American looking... hence why i got skipped for the red bull f1 driver search deal!

Originally Posted by KandyRedCoi

Scott Speed and Danica Patrick ... that i would watch

That's what I heard was happening.

Originally Posted by Kerry

That's what I heard was happening.

uhhh but that would be an embarrassment