Almost official: USF1 wouldn't race in 2010

[DexDexter]

Given enough time and money, I'm sure they'll build a car at some point. It may be by accident though.

Yep, maybe they'll put the toaster in the oven and hope it comes out as a car. :D

[Robinho]

the fat lady has warmed up her voice and is belting a tune out accross Charlotte

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81819

[Giuseppe F1]

OFFICIAL: US F1 is over

Being reported over at Autosport.com

No racing in 2010.....no new entry in 2011.....

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81819

:(

[Alfa Fan]

It's over. Thank god for that. Now let Mr Stefanovich in but on the understanding he has to prove the teams worth to retain the entry for 2011!

[Garry Walker]

Great news. No more incompetent fools to deal with. Such a shame they waited so long and just wasted time for a more competent organization (like Stefan GP).

As always, Peter Windsor=failure.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

Let the next part of the saga begin. I suspect it will involve Stefan GP, the FIA, Lola, Prodrive, Epsilon Euskadi and maybe some courtroom dramas as well. ;)

[Pulidor]

Great news. No more incompetent fools to deal with. Such a shame they waited so long and just wasted time for a more competent organization (like Stefan GP).

As always, Peter Windsor=failure.

Agreed. Peter Windsor failed, but at least it's not the second time he fails! (Adrián Campos anyone? :mad :)

[Alfa Fan]

When did Campos fail previously? To be fair to him he hasn't really failed here either, his team will be on the grid, albeit not in the form originally intended.

[UltimateDanGTR]

waste of time.waste of resources. waste of money.

USF1: Faceplaming since day 1


Im glad the ordeal is over to be fair, although I would rather that they had succeeded in getting a car to the grid.

so, lets play 'guess the amount of time before USF1 appear on F1rejects'

[Alfa Fan]

Anyway it looks like Ken and Peter just left us with the Skunk!

[Sonic]

This whole thing leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Those in charge at USF1 pulled the wool over the eyes of the FIA, their supporters and their own workforce and it makes me sick to think of those 60 hard working people who are now without a job thanks to the idiots at the top.

[Riley]

I think at this point we should not forget the staff (below KA and PW) who do have the dedication and will to build an F1 car. Alot of people have alot on the line, and for them this effort needs to suceed. Families moved, new homes, new state, even new country. Lets remember when we are bashing USF1 we really should be bashing Anderson and co.

I guess no one does care then, IF this story is true.

[Pulidor]

When did Campos fail previously? To be fair to him he hasn't really failed here either, his team will be on the grid, albeit not in the form originally intended.

Bravo Grand Prix F1 Team, 1993. First Spanish F1 team ever. It didn't make it to the first GP.
IIRC it was a joint venture by Adrían Campos and Nick Wirth (yeah, the CFD Virgin guy). They tried to use the Andrea Modena chassis from the year before. Team lasted a month and a half after it went bankrupt and a FIA auditory rejected its economic viability, marking the first Campos fiasco. Well, the first one away from the track....
Adrián Campos is a complete disaster. Even Fernando Alonso quickly realized that and waved him goodbye (he was his manager) at a very early stage of his F1 career.

Anyway, this thread is about USF1, so let's stick to it. Sorry guys!

[DazzlaF1]

OFFICIAL: US F1 is over

Being reported over at Autosport.com

No racing in 2010.....no new entry in 2011.....

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81819

:(
Sad yes but it was inevitable

I know it is difficult to put an entry together from scratch but even so it seemed a pathetic attempt totally understimating both the costs, the infrastructure required and the amount of effort needed to actually set up a team. Considering it was announced back as early as 2008, they have absolutely no excuses especially as Lotus managed to do all that and more in just FIVE MONTHS

[DexDexter]

Sad yes but it was inevitable

I know it is difficult to put an entry together from scratch but even so it seemed a pathetic attempt totally understimating both the costs, the infrastructure required and the amount of effort needed to actually set up a team. Considering it was announced back as early as 2008, they have absolutely no excuses especially as Lotus managed to do all that and more in just FIVE MONTHS

What I would like to know is what exactly have they been doing at Charlotte? Obviously they had some money but why on earth did they fail to produce a car of some sort, sounds incredible?

[DazzlaF1]

What I would like to know is what exactly have they been doing at Charlotte? Obviously they had some money but why on earth did they fail to produce a car of some sort, sounds incredible?

Thats a question only messrs Anderson & Windsor can answer, but i dont think we'll be hering from either anytime soon, which wont suprise us one jot.

Me thinks its time to open up the bidding again for 2011 and give it to an entrant that not only would be more worthy but also guarantee participation, StefanGP, Lola, Prodrive to name but a few.

[K-Pu]

At least I hope the selection process for next entrants will be less MadMaxized...

[Jimmy Magnusson]

Bravo Grand Prix F1 Team, 1993. First Spanish F1 team ever. It didn't make it to the first GP.
IIRC it was a joint venture by Adrían Campos and Nick Wirth (yeah, the CFD Virgin guy). They tried to use the Andrea Modena chassis from the year before. Team lasted a month and a half after it went bankrupt and a FIA auditory rejected its economic viability, marking the first Campos fiasco. Well, the first one away from the track....
Adrián Campos is a complete disaster. Even Fernando Alonso quickly realized that and waved him goodbye (he was his manager) at a very early stage of his F1 career.

Anyway, this thread is about USF1, so let's stick to it. Sorry guys!

Adrian Campos ran a successfull GP2 team for several years, a team he built from the ground up. He also brought along several Spanish drivers early in their careers, back when the team was in the Telefonica series, including Alonso and Antonio Garcia. The Bravo project fell apart after Jean Mosnier died, and to blame that on Campos (or Nick Wirth) is wrong. Campos was just a team manager working for Jean-Pierre Mosnier. Bravo was Mosnier's project, and they were going to run a revised version of the BMW-comissioned Wirth design that Andrea Moda used in 92. There was (probably) nothing wrong with the design itself - Andrea Moda had plenty of other issues that hampered their performance, to say the least. Wirth understandably wanted to use the design for something proper, as he knew it and what it could do. I always liked Nick, by the way, and I'm happy he's finaly getting some recognition with the Acura and Virgin projects.
It is funny, though, how the Bravo project sort of mirrors USF1 (though Bravo had a lot more substance to it). Both were created to be national racing teams, intending for a good national along with an experienced shoe (Larini/J.Gené for Bravo, Summerton/Wurz for USF1), and wanting to offer a place for "future talent" (Rossi and Hildebrand, de la Rosa and Arias), and made it on to the entry list but never the grid. And in both cases, the country had no real F1 heritage and seemed like a strange place to base a team.
There was a consortium behind Mosnier's project, but after he died the whole thing just ran out of steam. Maybe Campos took over for a while - they were going to test and develop the car during 93 for the 94 season with Jordi Gené (hello Stefan GP).

The problem Campos Meta had was a lack of rich investors ready to pump money into the team. If Alejandro Agag had been in on it, it would perhaps have been a different story. USF1 and Campos shows that it's not possible to start up from nothing (as the GP2 team is now with Agag, the F1 team would have to be built from ground up) and just pick up sponsors. If you have a lot of money, you get the job done. If you have the facilities, experience and the pedigree, you'll at least have a far easier time attracting sponsors, or keeping the ones you have. Had Campos still been in charge of his GP2 team, he would have been a good choice. He's not a disaster, he just can't work miracles. Did get a whole lot further than USF1, mind you. But in the end the FIA would have been better advised to pick Manor-Wirth, Epsilon Euskadi and Lola.

[DazzlaF1]

Lopez's manager being very critical of Ken Anderson's role in the team.

http://en.espnf1.com/teamus/motorsport/story/10002.html

Even though people questioned him and his credentials when he was given the seat, I feel really sorry for Lopez. Imagine one day you've been offered the chance to fulfill your lifelong ambition of racing in Formula 1 only for it to be taken away like this.

[Saint Devote]

Lopez's manager being very critical of Ken Anderson's role in the team.

http://en.espnf1.com/teamus/motorsport/story/10002.html

Even though people questioned him and his credentials when he was given the seat, I feel really sorry for Lopez. Imagine one day you've been offered the chance to fulfill your lifelong ambition of racing in Formula 1 only for it to be taken away like this.

With all that sponsorship money and there is no team clamoring for this great driver's service? What is this world coming too?!! :eek:

Lopez though that he would take the easy route - do NOTHING, and suddenly find himself in F1.

I am glad he is not on the grid because he in no way deserves to be on that grid amongst the worlds best drivers.

Imagine "Pechito" [stupid bloody name] in F1 whilst a driver like Davidson or di Resta either are not or are reserve drivers at best. It would be a disgrace.

[truefan72]

Lopez's manager being very critical of Ken Anderson's role in the team.

http://en.espnf1.com/teamus/motorsport/story/10002.html

Even though people questioned him and his credentials when he was given the seat, I feel really sorry for Lopez. Imagine one day you've been offered the chance to fulfill your lifelong ambition of racing in Formula 1 only for it to be taken away like this.

I don't feel sorry for him he was a pay driver that backed the wrong horse, and worse of a driver no other team was even going to consider as a 3rd driver.

I am glad the ordeal is over. feel really badly for the workers and staff, hope hurley partners up with stefan gp or Campos, and sincerely hope the FIA will quickly move to place Stefan GP on the grid. Unlike others I applaud them for sticking to their guns, continuing to believe in their validity and taking a huge financial and business gamble in forming the team and pursuing their dream of entry for 2010, they will be rewarded. Other teams had a chance to do the same but chose not to, so kudos to Stefan GP.

I wonder if Windsor will retain his speed TV gig and post race Q&A sessions.

[Saint Devote]

At least I hope the selection process for next entrants will be less MadMaxized...

Oh please don't turn this into another Max bashing event!!!!

If Max were a CEO and he selected FOUR grass root ventures with two coming to fruition - on budget and on time with the caliber of people they have - and one failing and another uncertain with still another possible, he would be considered extremely successful.

In this modern world, where Western people believe that there can be guarantees and risk eliminated, the reality is not that.

Max has done a fine job and instead of focusing on the failed F1 team, why not the successes named Virgin and Lotus?

The glass is always half-full not half-empty! :D

[Nikki Katz]

Autosport say the Ken's still hoping to enter in 2011. So that's 19 missed races instead of 3???

[N. Jones]

It's a bummer that it is at the end for USF1.

I hope that one day there will be a team and a permanent GP in America...

[call_me_andrew]

I am glad the ordeal is over. feel really badly for the workers and staff, hope hurley partners up with stefan gp or Campos, and sincerely hope the FIA will quickly move to place Stefan GP on the grid.

I wonder if Windsor will retain his speed TV gig and post race Q&A sessions.

An entry is not transferable without the teams consent. Stefan GP can buy USF1's entry, but the FIA can't forcibly redistribute it.

And as mentioned in another post, SPEED has found a replacement for Peter Windsor.

[DexDexter]

With all that sponsorship money and there is no team clamoring for this great driver's service? What is this world coming too?!! :eek:

Lopez though that he would take the easy route - do NOTHING, and suddenly find himself in F1.

I am glad he is not on the grid because he in no way deserves to be on that grid amongst the worlds best drivers.

Imagine "Pechito" [stupid bloody name] in F1 whilst a driver like Davidson or di Resta either are not or are reserve drivers at best. It would be a disgrace.

What's Davidson ever done to deserve a seat? Nothing. There are dozens of drivers with better credentials than Ant.

[Pulidor]

@ Jimmy Magnusson: I agree with most of your points.
However Campos is yet to be involved in a succesful F1 team. Even worse: he's lost the small amount of credibility he still had in Spain. Period.

But I insist, let's keep this to USF1asco.

[Dave B]

It's a real shame for the workers at USF1 who were fed Windsor and Anderson's false promises.

I'm not sure if Windsor is incompetent, a fantastist, an egotist... or all three. Either way he'd probably best not show his face at a Grand Prix for a few years.

Now the FIA should allow teams to apply for the grid spot in 2011, with better vetting procedures this time.

[truefan72]

Oh please don't turn this into another Max bashing event!!!!

If Max were a CEO and he selected FOUR grass root ventures with two coming to fruition - on budget and on time with the caliber of people they have - and one failing and another uncertain with still another possible, he would be considered extremely successful.

In this modern world, where Western people believe that there can be guarantees and risk eliminated, the reality is not that.

Max has done a fine job and instead of focusing on the failed F1 team, why not the successes named Virgin and Lotus?

The glass is always half-full not half-empty! :D

Oh please don't turn this into another Max is good for F1 event!!!!

There are a few positives that he instituted but are far far outweighed by the countless negatives he wrought upon the sport with his departing gift of a shambolic selection process. Defending Max Mosley is like defending a terrible dictator on the grounds that he brought stability to the nation. lol
:down:

besides the selection process was to ensure 3 qualifed entrants initially and not a lottery as to their viability. That is supposed to be done in the vetting process. It is a process supposed to result in a 100% success rate in getting teams on the grid. Lotus were brought in after the initial 3 were announced. so as it stands he failed 66% in his initial selection process. And Lotus were the first to go with his pseudo cosworth bribe as soon as a slot became available.

If he were a CEO he would have been dismissed by the board many times over.

[SGWilko]

Oh please don't turn this into another Max is good for F1 event!!!!

There are a few positives that he instituted but are far far outweighed by the countless negatives he wrought upon the sport with his departing gift of a shambolic selection process. Defending Max Mosley is like defending a terrible dictator on the grounds that he brought stability to the nation. lol
:down:

besides the selection process was to ensure 3 qualifed entrants initially and not a lottery as to their viability. That is supposed to be done in the vetting process. It is a process supposed to result in a 100% success rate in getting teams on the grid. Lotus were brought in after the initial 3 were announced. so as it stands he failed 66% in his initial selection process. And Lotus were the first to go with his pseudo cosworth bribe as soon as a slot became available.

If he were a CEO he would have been dismissed by the board many times over.

Indeed. And given the somewhat chequered past of one K Anderson esq, one wonders with incredulity as to how the USF1 outfit was even considered, let alone selected and vetted and deemed fit.

It's like the companies you see every week on the BBC's Rogue Traders, some bent director that is banned from trading by Trading Standards, but still reappears with another company ripping off the public. That is the Ken Anderson reputation, given the amount of 'walk aways from disaster' he has conducted.....

[V12]

And given the somewhat chequered past of one K Anderson esq, one wonders with incredulity as to how the USF1 outfit was even considered, let alone selected and vetted and deemed fit.

I can tell you exactly why. Since F1 seems hell-bent on following the horrible "franchising" model of US sports and Rugby League, I believe the term used by them is "expansion team" - i.e. selecting a team outside of the sport's core geographical base over potentially more qualified entrants, some marketing/economics BS I guess. I believe that is the reason, and the only reason, why USF1 got a spot.

Doing yet more to show why the FIA selection procedure needs to be flushed down the toilet and have proper old-school qualifying again. The only reason I want Stefan to sneak their way in (well apart from the two extra cars obviously) is that it could set a precedent to smash this particular piece of FIA legislation into a million little pieces.

[truefan72]

I can tell you exactly why. Since F1 seems hell-bent on following the horrible "franchising" model of US sports and Rugby League, I believe the term used by them is "expansion team" - i.e. selecting a team outside of the sport's core geographical base over potentially more qualified entrants, some marketing/economics BS I guess. I believe that is the reason, and the only reason, why USF1 got a spot.

Doing yet more to show why the FIA selection procedure needs to be flushed down the toilet and have proper old-school qualifying again. The only reason I want Stefan to sneak their way in (well apart from the two extra cars obviously) is that it could set a precedent to smash this particular piece of FIA legislation into a million little pieces.

TBH, I think the Mad Max influenced selection process is probably now a thing of the past. I know the FIA have much work to do in this regard, but i am somewhat confident that we will not see a repeat of this kind of shady, strong-arming, selection process that mosley oversaw.

[ykiki]

I can tell you exactly why. Since F1 seems hell-bent on following the horrible "franchising" model of US sports and Rugby League, I believe the term used by them is "expansion team" - i.e. selecting a team outside of the sport's core geographical base over potentially more qualified entrants, some marketing/economics BS I guess. I believe that is the reason, and the only reason, why USF1 got a spot.

Doing yet more to show why the FIA selection procedure needs to be flushed down the toilet and have proper old-school qualifying again. The only reason I want Stefan to sneak their way in (well apart from the two extra cars obviously) is that it could set a precedent to smash this particular piece of FIA legislation into a million little pieces.

While I understand your point, I don't completely agree with the reason behind franchising in mainstream US sports (football, baseball, basketball). OT - this usually occurs when current franchise owners feel the need to line their pockets during a period of growth in attendance/viewership. While true that "Expansion Teams" are selected to expand the geographical reach of the league, it also comes with a HEFTY "expansion fee" that is split among the other franchise owners - often to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

If USF1 had that kind of cash to pay the FIA upfront, I don't think we'd see them in this predicament.

[maximilian]

Any other good USF1 failure name puns out there? So far I saw:

WTF1
USF1asco
and I'd like to add USFail1

Any more? :)

[Alfa Fan]

Useless Stupid F**kers 1

[stephenw_us]

This has been an ugly chapter - in many ways - US F1 served to expose SpeedTV forumers hypocrisy and the attitude in North Carolina in general relative to F1.

There is a rush to call this all Ken's doing and to absolve Windsor - no doubt led by the NC bunch and people associated with SpeedTV.

The entire thing is disgusting to watch...

[stephenw_us]

Here's a lovely piece:

http://nascar.speedtv.com/article/cup-world-class-hypocrisy//P2/cup-world-class-hypocrisy

[DazzlaF1]

This has been an ugly chapter - in many ways - US F1 served to expose SpeedTV forumers hypocrisy and the attitude in North Carolina in general relative to F1.

There is a rush to call this all Ken's doing and to absolve Windsor - no doubt led by the NC bunch and people associated with SpeedTV.

The entire thing is disgusting to watch...

Not suprised, SpeedTV seems like the only ones making it look like Anderson & Windsor are the victims, in reality they've only got themselves to blame.

[jonny hurlock]

Not suprised, SpeedTV seems like the only ones making it look like Anderson & Windsor are the victims, in reality they've only got themselves to blame.

Bad mangement, we won't see those two on a f1 grid for a long time, lession has been told new teams must be learnt from it, btw should the title should be: offical now that usf1 not in f1 this year

[call_me_andrew]

While I understand your point, I don't completely agree with the reason behind franchising in mainstream US sports (football, baseball, basketball). OT - this usually occurs when current franchise owners feel the need to line their pockets during a period of growth in attendance/viewership. While true that "Expansion Teams" are selected to expand the geographical reach of the league, it also comes with a HEFTY "expansion fee" that is split among the other franchise owners - often to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

If USF1 had that kind of cash to pay the FIA upfront, I don't think we'd see them in this predicament.

Just to expand on that:

Before an expansion team is approved, there's usually some criteria that have to be met first. For example, the league wants to make sure this new team has a viable stadium (or plans to replace an aging stadium with a new one in the near future). Is there a passionate audience that will show up at this stadium? What TV competition would this new team face?

It's important to maintain parity in a franchise system, but this is always done in the front office with programs like revenue sharing, salaray caps, and draft pick selection. The New York Mets aren't allowed to use aluminum bats just because they suck.

[ShiftingGears]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81830

Ahh, so USF1's failing isn't the fault of Windsor and Anderson.

Of course.

[Easy Drifter]

That story stands up to close scrutiny about as well as does his resume.
The time lines are absolutely silly. Enough was known by early summer that most work could be done. Saying a sponsor problem in Jan. put them behind is ludicrous. The car should have been complete by then not a partial tub and little else.
According to their own claims the car was supposed to be ready in Nov.
Sure is not going to make the FIA feel any confidence in them being able to get a car ready for next year.
Talks about a car being ready by this summer or fall. Only a year late! Right.
If FIA don't give him quick approval all is over. Why???????
Wonder how Lotus and Virgin managed in less time.
Whatever he is smoking is good stuff.

[52Paddy]

What an idiot. Why the hell didn't he pull the plug sooner if he was meeting all this difficulty? And why did Windsor keep insisting (even in January) that the team would be at Bahrain and, later, at round 4.

Sore losers - stay away from F1!

[Saint Devote]

They really are a pair of idiots. Nixon said it was not the crime but the COVER-UP that would do you in!

I dont know why USF1 did not go to the FIA or Bernie and tell them teh situation as they fell further behind so early? There was so much goodwill and the political situation of the day that something could have been arranged.

To get a car to Catalunya ought to have been the target regardless how it was done. They could have approached someone like Lola or at that stage I think the Toyota cars were still available even.

Just get it off the ground and reach the target of build a car in the US later - just as they stated their need to sign drivers and aim for an American driver in the near-term.

Such incompetence and even obstinacy to the point of pig headedness.

[UltimateDanGTR]

What a waste of a slot USF1 were. SD got it spot on: incompetence.

But, I think the FIA felt as if they owed USF1 that grid slot. USF1 announced their intent on entering F1 before the budget cap row and opened entries and all that. It was USF1 who got mad max to think about budget caps and get these new teams entering. So it was almost an obligation to let USF1 in.

They could've chosen someone else, but Peter Windsor and co would have undoubtably been a very angry man.

Now, To avoid this happening again, I think a 13th entry (and id prefer more ofcourse) should be opened up to enter for 2011 as soon as possible, to give a potential new team as much time as possible to get ready and avoid the USF1 disaster.

[Riley]

They really are a pair of idiots. Nixon said it was not the crime but the COVER-UP that would do you in!

I dont know why USF1 did not go to the FIA or Bernie and tell them teh situation as they fell further behind so early? There was so much goodwill and the political situation of the day that something could have been arranged.

To get a car to Catalunya ought to have been the target regardless how it was done. They could have approached someone like Lola or at that stage I think the Toyota cars were still available even.

Just get it off the ground and reach the target of build a car in the US later - just as they stated their need to sign drivers and aim for an American driver in the near-term.

Such incompetence and even obstinacy to the point of pig headedness.

The FIA did actually approach Anderson and Windsor some time ago asking if they would like to wait untill 2011. The generous offer was turned down, much to the disbelief of everyone else - including Hurley who, inspite of little knowledge of racing let alone F1 could see the writing on the wall.

Last year someone sent me the Speed Tv interview with Anderson, Windsor and Hurley and I remember thinking that Chad had no idea what he was getting into, and it would end up costing him lots of money.

One week to go to Bahrain and sitting in a cold deserted factory in Charlotte is one half finished tub and a few other bit and pieces. If a magic fairy appeared it would be 6 months before anything worth while rolled out the door.

[MOliscous]

Has anyone else seen the USF1 article in Road & Track magazine? (The American Dream, April issue) Interesting timing. Maybe it's actually an "April fools" joke? With magazine lead times I'm sure it was not intended to be one, just looks like one now.

[52Paddy]

Funny. USF1 haven't even done a good enough job to qualify for a slot at F1rejects, which requires:

*A team to have attempted to qualify for at least 2 GPs

[UltimateDanGTR]

Funny. USF1 haven't even done a good enough job to qualify for a slot at F1rejects, which requires:

*A team to have attempted to qualify for at least 2 GPs

now, that is a real shame :D

[52Paddy]

now, that is a real shame :D

Indeed :p :

[UltimateDanGTR]

Indeed :p :

This then calls for the 'F1rejects rejects'. organisations that were so useless they couldnt even qualify as an F1reject. USF1 right there, technically Mastercard Lola would be there aswell although they appear on F1 rejects), plus teams who planned to eneter but never did (Bravo, 'Pheonix' and DAMS for instance)

[52Paddy]

plus teams who planned to eneter but never did (Bravo, 'Pheonix' and DAMS for instance)

Maybe take a bit of caution on this one though. I'm sure there have been a handful of teams who, against their own will or with very good reason, could not enter and didn't necessarily make an arse of themselves in the process. But I do like the idea of an F1rejects 'rejects' category :laugh:

[Malbec]

Oh please don't turn this into another Max bashing event!!!!

If Max were a CEO and he selected FOUR grass root ventures with two coming to fruition - on budget and on time with the caliber of people they have - and one failing and another uncertain with still another possible, he would be considered extremely successful.

In this modern world, where Western people believe that there can be guarantees and risk eliminated, the reality is not that.

I see this post got a lot of stick yet I agree completely with it.

Putting Anderson and Windsor's failure to one side, the FIA did all it could to ensure due diligence was done on vetting the new entries. Ultimately if a potential entry shows the FIA that not only does it have enough cash it also has already invested in infrastructure (as USF1 had done by the time it got vetted by the FIA) on what grounds can the FIA turn them down?

USF1 ultimately got caught in the age-old trap of sponsors wanting a complete car before committing money yet building that car requiring cash the team didn't have. Its a pity because as everyone knows F1 needs to get a break in the US and this failure doesn't do F1 any favours there.

[e2mtt]

Has anyone else seen the USF1 article in Road & Track magazine? (The American Dream, April issue) Interesting timing. Maybe it's actually an "April fools" joke? With magazine lead times I'm sure it was not intended to be one, just looks like one now.

It was sad. I like Road & Track a lot, but they were pretty wrong on that one. I subscribe and when I got the issue I had already heard they were DOA on the internet. In retrospect, they will have to call it an April's Fool article, but I don't think it was intended to be.

[jens]

Max has done a fine job and instead of focusing on the failed F1 team, why not the successes named Virgin and Lotus?


Good example of the failure of Mosley's selection procedure is that the most promising team of all the new ones - Lotus - was accepted later, but not initially in June among others.

[Dave B]

USF1 may have now been officially declared as "not appearing" for Bahrain and could face sanctions - up until now they've not actually broken any actual rules - so expect them to be formally thrown out of the Championship any time soon.

[Somebody]

Re: jens

The Lotus entry which was ultimately accepted apparently has very little to do with the rejected Litespeed-Lotus.

[jens]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXO9MXv6BCo&feature=related

When I watched this, I couldn't resist - those guys made it closer to F1 than USF1 ever did. :D

[Dave B]

When, as schoolkids, me and my mate played Frogger on a dual carriageway with a couple of cheapo r/c cars from Tandy, we made it closer to F1 than USF1 ever did.

[ioan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXO9MXv6BCo&feature=related

When I watched this, I couldn't resist - those guys made it closer to F1 than USF1 ever did. :D

Great find! :D

[billiaml]

I wanna build one o those :D

[Riley]

Just in case anyone is holding their breath, all US F1 staff have now been made redundant. As if being involved in this farce wasn't enough of an insult the guys had been put on 'un-paid leave'. Fortunately a good number have found alternative employment. Some day the full story will be told and when it is Mr Anderson would be well advised to not show his face in public for a very long time.

[jens]

Some day the full story will be told ---

Can't wait. :)

[ioan]

Full story about something that never was? Nah, they will all be forgotten.

[DazzlaF1]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXO9MXv6BCo&feature=related

When I watched this, I couldn't resist - those guys made it closer to F1 than USF1 ever did. :D

Ken Anderson, watch that and hang your head in shame.

I hoenstly cannot see why he is even bidding again for the 13th slot, any one with half a brain cell in the FIA would just laugh off his bid

[52Paddy]

Full story about something that never was? Nah, they will all be forgotten.

They'll be forgotten, but remembered again. People like me will hope to find out the whole story and get a total insight into what went on from start to finish with that project.

Just in case you never thought it possible that people might swing that way ;)

:p :

[PSfan]

Well just because someone felt like resurrecting this thread... :cheese:


It doesnt matter what its called - its what it is. A bond is an honorable intrument of finance - for USF1 to attempt to circumvent their comittment by trying to create rules is not honorable at all.

Its a bribe.

And its "Stefan" - at least get the name correct :vader:

OK I concede, I misspelled "Stefan" I had been celebrating Canada's hockey gold medal so I have a small excuse... whats yours:

Doesnt should be Doesn't
its should be it's
intrument??? I'm guessing you meant instrument

If your gonna correct spelling on a message board, make damn sure you proof read your reply 10 times to make sure you don't come of like you did...

And BTW: It was a bond because USF1 fully intended to get it back, where a bribe, once you give it to someone its theirs.

[52Paddy]

It doesnt matter what its called - its what it is.

And its "Stefan" - at least get the name correct

Beautiful :laugh:

[Mia 01]

The tought of it was good.

Now, I disbelive that americans has the ability to build a F1 car.

[gloomyDAY]

April Fools' Day!

[Placid]

Anderson has layed off the company. The last scoop of dirt has been thrown to the USF1 grave.

Link: http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2010/03/29/daily46.html

[Mia 01]

The tought of it was good.

Now, I disbelive that americans has the ability to build a F1 car.

Some of you has pulled some dirt on me in personal PM :s , thats alright, but prove me wrong instead.

[DexDexter]

Some of you has pulled some dirt on me in personal PM :s , thats alright, but prove me wrong instead.

Why don't you disable it, the function really serves no purpose on a forum like this...

[Roamy]

Some of you has pulled some dirt on me in personal PM :s , thats alright, but prove me wrong instead.

ok
Peter David Windsor (born April 11, 1952 in Reigate, Surrey, England)[1] is the Sporting Director of the US F1 Team[2], a former Formula One journalist reporter, and a lifelong friend of Greg Rust. He was brought up in Australia, but now has residences in London and Sydney.

your reference included "americans" referring to us all. So the reference I made to your obtaining personal pleasure could not be made here.

Penske ran promising campaign - probably will end up being better than most new teams. If the Americans wanted to attack F1 properly they would probably do quite well. So don't refer to us all and especially with the old beef and kidney pie guy.

[ShiftingGears]

Now, I disbelive that americans has the ability to build a F1 car.

What a stupid presumption. More like there is not the interest. The ability is there.

[52Paddy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXO9MXv6BCo&feature=related

When I watched this, I couldn't resist - those guys made it closer to F1 than USF1 ever did. :D

Off hand, I can't think of one Chinese driver that made it to F1. Nor a constructor and, I even fail to think of team personnel (though I admit that I wouldn't know many personnel anyway). Despite that, they manage to build an F1 machine.

Saying that Americans can't build an F1 car is just ludicrous. Anderson and Windsor can't handle the operation, but that doesn't mean the whole nation can't :rolleyes:

[call_me_andrew]

Yup, I am just now starting to think they will not make the grid this year. :P

[Dave B]

A little coda to this sorry story as the team's assets are put up for auction:


However there is virtually nothing that relates directly to the car apart from a chassis mock-up, a chassis mould, and a single wheel.

http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/06/10/us-f1-is-history-as-auction-kicks-off/

[ArrowsFA1]

Not so sure I'd want a fammable cabinet :crazy: Sounds a fire hazard to me :p : Although the paintings and unopened bottle of champagne may be worth a punt :s mokin:

[Ranger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXO9MXv6BCo&feature=related

When I watched this, I couldn't resist - those guys made it closer to F1 than USF1 ever did. :D


Great find! :D

How did I miss this before? Awesome! :D

Love the wind tunnel!

[Retro Formula 1]

A little coda to this sorry story as the team's assets are put up for auction:



http://adamcooperf1.com/2010/06/10/us-f1-is-history-as-auction-kicks-off/


Whatever happened to them, it wasn't through lack of investment in the workshop. There are obviously things that have been sold or removed such as basic tools (few employees with some Blue Point in their garages I guess ;) ) but the rest is there apart from composite kit (which I assume would be out-sourced).

Could do with a new CNC Lathe ;)

[Dave B]

Whatever happened to them, it wasn't through lack of investment in the workshop.
Rarely has the phrase "all the gear but no idea" been more appropriate.

[Retro Formula 1]

Rarely has the phrase "all the gear but no idea" been more appropriate.

Nail - Head - Hit - On

At least they put some skin into the game unlike some other joker we could mention.

IF you could have put this unit together with the IP and cars from the ex-Toyota team and bribe enough expertise from Europe to visit America for a couple of years and got a realistic budget, this team might have had a chance.

As it was, they had 25% of the solution.

[call_me_andrew]

That was a mockup? I was under the impression they had a near-finished tub. I can only imagine what the FIA inspectors thought when they toured the shop.

[markabilly]

Rarely has the phrase "all the gear but no idea" been more appropriate.
Not even that, as one wheel was not enough, they needed 3 more due to stupid FIA regualtions

Anyway the wheel and tub were sold together......

and they went for $500. total for both.

That is right, 500 dollars US as one package deal....Missed my chance, as after that, I only would have needed three more wheels and a go cart engine and been racing....just like peter

[Mysterious Rock]

that was a bargain, Id have had that for an at home f1 car simulator