What happened to all the talk of Jonathan Summerton being the 2nd driver? That seems to have died down very suddenly

No money.

Would be good to have an Argentinean in F1 again,although I know next to nothing of Lopez.

I said american born, u got someone better, who is american born?

Anyway if they want the best available driver with proven talent for helping teams win, there is Nelson, Jr.

He might do it for free and Pop would probably pay some big bucks.....of course he might have to skip the Singapore race.....

http://motorsports.fanhouse.com/2009/09/18...sappointment%2F

He ran out of tires in Hockenheim and couldn't hold Glock's pressure, true. but he climb from last to 7th in race one in a spectacular way.
Fauzy is a decent driver, and considering his performances in GP2 Asia and Tahinci's you easily know who's better
He didn't have money to continue racing internationalyy at least at a good level when Renault dropped him. And the money he has know is not because of his manager or his dad working on to get it, it's because the ACA has initiated a project to take a driver into F1 and they chose López, so it is the ACA money and sponsors, not López's. Why to choose López and not the best option, Esteban Guerrieri? I guess because they wanted a driver who's racing in Argentina right know, as they did with their silly GT1 project last year.

The ACA has officially revealed that they are negotiating with two teams right now: US and Campos, so López is running for a seat in any of those teams. But, as there haven't been muchmore news as it was expected in the last days, it is possible that:
1) the ACA is having some trouble to get the budget (aprox. 8 million euros)
2)they are waiting to see what the hell happens with all the team and driver moves, so López could finally race in some other team...

It's funny how nobody has mentioned that this is Lopez, and thus the money simply isn't going to be enough, if you know what I mean.

He's been out of Europe for a couple years now- I can't believe this is even worth reporting.

http://www.corsaonline.com.ar/2009/11/10/N...a-el-equipo.php

"López would be a great driver for the team", said Peter Windsor in a recent interview to sports magazine Olé. Here I translate to you some extracts form Corsa On Line:

"The first connection I had with José María López was thru a letter sent to me by Bernie Ecclestone. Then, I contacted Carlos Reutemann. That's why, when I talk about José María I do it based on what Carlos tells me"

"Until we sign a contract I cannot tell any details about the negotiations... what I can say is that I feel a deep respect towards José María as a driver and as a person"

"I know he's very motivated right now after three good years in Argentina. He would be agreat driver for our team because he brings knowledge and kilometres of testing in F1, apart from and extra motivation due to the fact that he still hasn't had the chance of racing and show his skills"

"I would be very happy if races for us next year. He is not one more in a list of drivers. José is more than that. He's a driver we are interested in and we hope he's with us. Things in motor racing canb change quickly. It wouldn't be appropiate if I say something else."

"We would like to sign a contract as soon as possible. As soon as a driver knows what he's gonna do next year, it's better for his mental, physical and technical preparation."

"From all the drivers available, I would put José María very high on the list of what we want. He has a lot of talent. For a new team, he is a very good driver: he has experience, but nor too many preconcepts about how a team must be..."

"There are experienced drivers without a seat going around, but I'm not sure they can make a better job that José"

"If we would have José, we could put a young driver by his side. José would be a good parameter to start developing the car from"

Apart from this, rumours say that a pre-contract has already been sign and that López will travel to the US soon... Apart from that, I just heard an info in the radio saying that Williams has showed interest in López too (as a test driver, I guess, considering they have Barrichello and Hulkenberg signed), but I still hasn't found anyting about it, although it could be true: we know Bernie has influence on Williams (supposedly he put a lot of money to keep the team running this year) and, because of his friend Reutewmann, he seems to be somewhat favouring López entry...

USF1 will do what it takes to survive. Pay driver you name it they will do it. The USA has all fo the cutting edge manufacturing but not the F1 engineering for the day to day needs of a team. F1 is just to close for a team to come in with an underperforming car and a rookie driver and expect to be anywhere but last place.

The only way it makes absolutely any sense is if he brings along a LOT of money or a sponsor contingent.

Sorry, anybody saying that "three good years in Brazilian touring cars" being good for F1 is saying it through gritted teeth.

I'm sorry, a lot of this seems fabricated. Getting a young driver alongside Lopez? It's not like Lopez has any experience.

I'll believe it when I see it.

I think that is the most important quotation.

Wasn't Bernie talking about getting a race in Argentina in the coming years?

Do Bernie a favour and who knows what benefits lie in store?

^ Er...I can't say I like the sound of that. Bernie sent out a letter recommending an Argentinean driver to USF1? The same Bernie that, IIRC, mentioned how he'd like to see an Indian driver at FI? The same Bernie who foresees races in Argentina and India? Lovely. What next, will he be campaigning for Fauzy at Lotus too?

The joke about USF1 is that they went on about having a yank in the car, then reality bit them in the @rse and they found out there were no Americans good enough. They have plenty of 2nd tier yanks available, but Windsor knows they'll be out of their depth, so he is doing the next best thing. Effectively get a pay driver.

Would you complain if it meant we got a race at Potrero de los Funes? So Pechito Lopez gets a race seat, and sucks. USF1 drop him mid-season or after a year, but ot after we get a race in Argentina. There's no way a contract could be written up that would guarantee the race so long as Lopez hs a drive; no one in the right mind would try and pitch it, much less sign it. Lopez provides some of the accident-prone comedy tat has been sadly lacking of late, which keeps the fans entertined. USF1 make fools of themselves, which keeps the nay-sayers happy. Argentina gets a Formula One driver, which keeps them happy. And Bernie Ecclestone gets to srew someone else over, which keep him happy. Who loses?


Of course not - he's already got a race in Malaysia. Just be afraid if he starts lobbying for Plamen Kralev ...

Yesterday, Peter Windsor sayd:
"We want sign with López as fast way possible"

http://www.larazon.com.ar/notas/2009/11/11/02038608.html

In the Windsor mouth words.,

Regards.,

It would be funny if the so-called all-american team signed two Spanish speaking drivers (Lopez and de la Rosa), with a base in Spain too.

Didn't they say 90% of the F1 technology comes from US? ha!

Isn't 90% of the US filled with illegal Mexicans anyway?

The drivers that would be experienced enough don't want to do it and the ones that show promise are a few years away. I think they thought that Speed, Rahal or Andretti or perhaps Patrick would jump at the chance. They don't wish to take a cut in pay with a startup and deal with the euro-centric grief as well as the relocation. In a recent interview Windsor stated the reason they didn't take a chance on someone like Summerton was that if he wasn't able to qualify for the Superlicense early next year (because they won't be able to test him until then) the drivers that might be the best fit may not be available. I think it was foolhard to consider an American for the job and it will be at least a year, perhaps two until someone is up to driving the the car. Most of the young kids, even the karters and road racers are going to circle track because they can get development deals in their teens. That could change with a US based F1 team but right now we just aren't grooming any drivers for the F1 ladder. USF1 need an old hand to help with the car and a pay driver to supplement the funding.

I agree with you. And take in account that, according to what it is said in Argentina, that Ecclestone had previous talks with Reutemann... it sounds crazy, but Carlos has always thought that López is an excellent driver and maybe he gave him a "little" hand... I recall Guerrieri's manager saying that the influence of someone lioke Reutemann could open more doors that tons of money, which is something López doesn't have (that's whay the deal is not closed yet), so there's more than money behind it... why not to sign Petrov, who is said to alrady have a lot of money with him, or any other guy, but instead keep on working in a deal with someone who hasn't raced in single-seaters in three years and after a couple of months still hasn't been able to secure a proper budget?
Oh, and something else: maybe I didn't understand it well, but López has not raced in Brazilian touring cars as someone posted above.

I would laugh if they ended up with a Mexican driver.

At this station, Salvador Durán or Sergio Pérez could be a better option than any USA driver...

Official: Pechito López is a USF1 driver:

http://www.carburando.com/LOPEZ-VIAJO-A-EE...A9124313CB3.htm

http://www.ultimavuelta.com.ar/noticias.ph...les&id=5711

http://www.equipoautodromo.com/2009/11/lop...nidos-para.html

http://polepositionweb.wordpress.com/2009/...estados-unidos/

http://www.largaron2009.com.ar/noticia.php?codint=106

NICE..,

Regards

well cool for him. Don't know him but if he really drilled hole in the ass to ROBERT KUBICA he must be pretty good. USF1 without American driver is a farce though, they need one

Good for him, isn't he the first Argentinian in F1 since Carlos Reutemannn?

Esteban Tuero, Minardi , 1998

Unfortunately San Luis was ruled out fairly comprehensively due to political situation and lack of support facilities IIRC.

- Norberto Fontana, Sauber-Petronas 1997
- Esteban Tuero, Minardi 1998
- Gastón Mazzacane, Minardi 2000
- Gastón Mazzacane, Prost-Acer 2001


Happen TODAY, Pechito and Windsor in Charlotte




Regards

I know, I was just using it as an example. And also because I cannot think of any other circuit that might be in a condition to host the race, though I do know Ecclestone was pushing for a street circuit in Mar del Plata bfore the Argentine cgovernment decided to focus on getting an Argentine driver before an Argentine race.

"Today, we have a agreement with López, he now is a our driver", Windsor say..


http://www.diariouno.com.ar/ovacion/blog/2...la-formula-uno/

Good luck to him, great to have an Argentine in F1.

Wondering why it is taking so long for these news to reach Autosport.

Because it's not a signed deal yet. Article says it won't be signed until next week.

Because Autosport hate Pechito López, and hate alll Argentinan stuffs.,

They can't forgive than our TC 2000 smashed the sad BTCC.,

how come US GP are not announcing drivers? or giving indication of drivers...

Blimey! Isn't Carlos getting on a bit for an F1 comeback these days?

Waiting to see if the cheques bounce, I should imagine...

Sorry, It´s not enough.

Uh, because they're still going througha selection process? Lotus, Campos and Manor only have one driver confirmed, so it's not like USF1 is light years behind them.

Have you considerd that maybe they're running on a slightly different timetable to everyone else?

Oscar LARRAURI (1988 with EuroBrun, a terrible car for a very good driver)
Fangio II tested in the mid 80s for Osella, if I'm not mistaken; and José Luis Di Palma was close to a deal with Simtek for Argentina 1995, but he couldn't get enough money.

As for López, his boss in the Honda TC2000 team, Víctor Rosso said to a radio show yesterday that they are thinking on getting a GP2 car to Santiago del Estero so López can have some single-seater training before testing for USF1 in February (if the deal is finally closed, of course...). That testing would be held in Termas de Río Hondo, one of the best circuits in Argentina (probably the best alongside Potrero), and the provincial government is believed to be one of his sponsors for the 2010 F1 campaign

Hey, when he tested that Ferrari in 1995 on rainy conditions he left everybody with their mouths open...

lolwut

Of course mate. The Autosport editors are involved in a vast conspiracy against "your boy" so that he doesn't get any media coverage.

Loki was correct, Autosport generally only post stories when an announcement is imminent (as in the next 24 hours) or when it's recently happened. That's why there's no "Schumacher to Mercedes" story on the front page. There's been no official confirmation that MS has even spoken to Merc about a drive, never mind that they've already agreed a deal.

Maybe it's David Reutimann. After all, he's American.

ditto

Have you considered that maybe Lopez was so unspectacular that he's not eally news-worthy? When Button went to McLaren, it was big news. The same as when Alonso went to Ferrari. But some touring car driver making his debut with a new team isn't really news-worthy until it gets confirmed by the team. Autosport are very hesitant to run stories that are speculatory, and when they do, they generaly make it plain that it is speculation, which is to their credit. If you read the article on Saward's blog, you'd know that the announcement isn't expected for a week, so come back in seven days, even though it's hardly earth-shattering news. nd if you'd seen other news sites - like F1 Live, for instance - then you'd know Jose Maria Lopez is one of twelve drivers currently being considered by USF1. He may not have signed anything at all.

But if he has, expect him to be at the back of the grid.

Yeah, but he's fourteen years older now. He's probably got arthritis to worry about...

The ESPN network confirm Pechito López in USF1 Team:

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story...&type=story


Cheers.,

Does that directly quote Lopez or anyone from USF1?

Because if it doesn't, it is not confirmed.

I´m not so sure they will be on the grid next year.