How would it feel if you were a passionate Argentine patriot?

Confused

He's quite hesitant about it in the interview though... still, it's an interesting quote. Quite like Campos is admitting, but totally different from what Windsor is saying!

The first driver is backed by the Argentinian government and he seems to be popular in his country, to say the least..

Is it possible for USF1 to come to Bahrain with only one car?

Nope, unless they plan to go there and not race. The regulations states it has to be a two car, two drivers team, that's what USF1 has engaged itself to bring to the championship.

many girls have said the same to me.....then i flash the cash


I just wonder if they have figured out where to put the wheels????

There is a package that can be bought of engine, transmission and so forth, then all one needs to do is simply attach it, and add some suspension, a spring or two, (and don't forget those wheels) and go to doing it....might be slow, but atleast it would be there. Do not laugh as that is how james Hunt got to F1 and then became a WDC...

unfortunately, they do not seem to be able to get that far

Maybe this explains more than we want to know as example of where they are headed:




I like Varsha as a broadcaster, as he was always a bit of a jokster clown with some funny BS. Alas, it seems to take more than some funny BS to build a team from scratch, they should have bought out Toyta or some such....

could you people imagine if it was usf1 whose car was falling apart on the tests and not virgin? . The amount of bashing would have probably caused the forum to crash.

Only the idiots would do that though.. If they were testing already there would be no ground for bashing.

Are you actually reading the arguments? or you see anything negative as mindless bashing?

I think the negative vibe that get thrown at this team will never end. Anyone can clearly see that by just taking a glance at this thread. When they finally make the grid , if they do, that nagativity will simply shift from they are not making the grid to how uncompetitive they are and they can't build racecars.. Some of that has already been discussed here.

Nobody expects them to be competitive outside of fighting against the other new teams.. plus, the negativity (or question) about them being able to build racecars is very much relevant now, isn't it? ..afterall one of their rivals is already testing (and fixing problems), and another one is launching their car in some minutes now..

I think that, like others, you glanced at the thread and told yourself: "oh, here's a bunch of anti-americans.."

Seems to be a common mistake people are making.

Instead of making a general appraisal of the thread after glancing at it, why are you not saying what you think is going on, based on the things you know?

You know... take part in the discussion?

I still think the point of no return is February 18th. The date is rumored to be the last possible day of the final crash test of the Type1, as well as the arrival of the Cosworth engines in Charlotte. If for some reason they fail. or no concrete news emerges, I honestly think they're finished.

If they pass, they'll likely have a shakedown on the 22nd or 23rd, before heading to Bahrain.

So try to stay patient. As Varsha said, we'll likely know what happening with USF1 (as well as Campos), by the end of next week. After all, with less than a moth till Bahrain, something has to give on both fronts soon.

I think i 've read enough to come to that conclusion. And it's not a mistake, you simply see it that way. I don't like to speculate and then end up looking like a fool. What I know, which is no secret is that the team is having financial issues. They are the only team out of the the 4 new ones who had to use a big chunk of their budget to set up a racing facility from zero. It was their decision to do it that way and I am ok with it. I will be supporting them if they ever make it to the grid.

Alright, but it's not like the team admits to having any serious financial issues.. unlike Campos, for instance.

Tied together? In what way? One failing has no bearing on the other. Unless they are both competing for the same sponsorship package.

Well, there's that odd piece of reporting from these guys just around the block:

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-...-bahrain-debut/

if you got something against Peter that is your beef. F1 is full of political BS to begin with so this wouldn't be the first time a team boss is hiding the truth.

I'm glad you can see through Windsor's lies as well.. lol.. what can I say?

You don't strike me as being exceedingly positive either... you just keep the negativity to yourself, I guess.

Anyway, I want to see the car and I'll be happy to receive the flak for my criticism if it ends up I was wrong all along..

Well I have some great news just for you then, first spy shot from Barber! No word on the grass tests yet though...

There's a staggering comparison, when Virgin has a car for the wing to fall off from, everything else is hypothetical.

Why? is that where my tax dollars are going? one answer - hell f'in NO. I'll let you in on a tightly held secret (keep this under your hat) the US could give a rats arse about F1 yeah I know....it's a bombshell. Oh and here in the US you can name your company US Steel, US Architectural, US Plumbing and it wouldn't have to be government (that means "the people" because that's actually who is in control....except they just don't know it) funded. So, you see USF1 isn't connected in any way whatsoever to the US. It's just another independent business venture.

I hope that clears up your misconceptions.

I could use that thing at my house...well not now because it's snowing, but come spring time

I could find you a picture of a snow plow, but like Virgin the front wings are all broken right now! Imagine that, we get so much snow that our snow plows are breaking.

Time to start another rumor - I think USF1 closed up shop! No news, no tweets, no facebook updates, no phone number to call = left in the middle of the night.

(Not even Chad seems to answer questions asked to him about USF1 other than he gave them initial capital)

BTW: I am half joking, but watching the other teams, they are all so active now with the new media, and USF1 that promised to be the new gold standard has fallen silent. I applaud all the current teams for taking hold of the new media, Williams is doing an amazing job with it.

Apparently a better link for the interview with more info: http://media.wforadio.com/archives/archive...astello-wed.mp3 (My sound card is off for repairs so I have no audio to confirm)

time to break out the Thunder Cat. I'm just north of Dallas so it's no where near that bad.

5 Hours south of Dallas here, roughly. Had sleet yesterday though, pea sized (or is that freezing rain). I was actually talking about the plows that were breaking in DC, from what I gather the actual plow was breaking, not the machine itself (hence the Virgin joke).

Varsha says:
- they are under alot of pressure and it will be close
- I've seen the 'cars'
- they have maybe underestimated the task at hand
- they have budget concerns
- basically speaks of the enormity of the task at hand; building a business, etc etc
- he 'thinks' that what Peter/Ken thought in announcing that they wanted all American drivers was that young Americans driver prospects would go out and find (bring) sponsors and get their super licenses, etc.
- seconded driver will not be American
- 3rd driver he is 'confident' will be American

The announder says that the second driver will be announced at the end of the week...I have no idea where he gets this.

- Varsha says that Pechito'c sponsors did not want to continue in GP2/Europe, so that is why he went back to Argentina
- Varsha says about the shop, "a lot is missing there, but it is coming"
- 4 weeks ago the first car was being plumbed and the second was coming out of the autoclave

There was a Speed article on Monday where Windsor said it would happen this week. Of course, he's said a lot of things that didn't happen.

Either way, it's rumored to be either Valles or Klien, with Summerton or Rossi getting the reserve seat.

Where's Nancy Pelosi when you really need her?

Its all coming out now. I think by the end of the week we'll have heard from more reliable people than CompositeKen. If you head over to willthef1journo.wordpress.com, you can add another inside analysis to that of Mr Varsha. I don't think that Bernie Ecclestone was making mischief, when he said that according to what he understood, USF1 were unlikely to make the grid.

That's 'normal' with most any new start-up. Kind of 'nothing to see here move along' type of a statement regarding start-ups.

Hey guys... I am just north of Dallas as well. Actually North Dallas (Plano). Good to see some locals here. This whole bit about the idiot American was getting old... there I go, hopefully I havent stirred up that hornets nest again. ;]

Anyway, just wanted to say Hey...Good to see a Texan and an Okie on this board. C-ya fellas.

Well, my wife is a Sooner (born/bred...the whole thing) I'm Cal, but hate paying taxes (even though it all equals out one way or the other) so we live in Sherman.

I live about an hour from Watkins Glen. I have met a few people who are F1 fans up here.

Hmmmm.
Slightly different tune from Mr Buxton on Feb 11.
Far from rubbishing what CompositeKen posted, he's actually confirming it.
http://willthef1journo.wordpress.com/2010/...of-the-newboys/ ADDED: Buxton is mainly criticising the FIA for letting in teams like USF1 and Campos without having sound financing in place.

So the FIA is saying no crash testing booked (don't the FIA need to witness the testing?), yet Lopez's manager is saying next week.
How to explain the discrepancy?
I think Lopez is preparing the excuses to offer to Argentina.

Told ya. Watched too much AmericanChopper and Hotrod.

No, no, you misunderstood me. What I was trying to say is that the truth is slowly leaking out, through people who are more trustworthy, established and not anonymous- ie people who are more reliable than CompositeKen. The truth being that USF1 is in a dire situation.

I'll say it again... we'll know everything by the 18th. Whether they pass the crash test or completely collapse. Either way, we'll know who's either been lying or making up lies.

Actually its you misunderstanding me! (I should have been clearer.)

When Buxton first Twittered that he had personally seen USF1's tub, that was used as a contradiction of CompositeKen.

USF1 have burned through Hurley's seed capital, and the only contribution to the running costs seems to be Argentina's money.
There's no sign of any other sponsorship.

Sure, its getting close to crunch time, and lots of others will be publicly questioning where the operating budget is going to come from.

Who to trust, Varsha, Will, or CompositeKen?

Varsha's comments are interesting, even if it has been 4-weeks since he has seen the factory (could be empty now) - he is normally honest and factual (unless he calls the wrong driver during the race for some odd reason).

News at the end of this week, or next week on the second driver? USF1 seems to release news later in the day for some odd reason, when most of the EU press is still sleeping/going to bed. I would expect if they are going to release news today it will not be until around 5pm EST (is that -5 GMT?). Looking at when the release Twitter updates, it is for the vast majority all late day.

There is that odd bit about JV being up at the training center with JML... Is JV hoping for Stefan or something? Anyone know where Valles is at, or PW.. lol

I wonder if they have approached Microsoft to consider the Xbox Live branding, or is Microsoft not allowed to sponsor F1 teams due to the electronics? The Xbox Live branding would be perfect for USF1 (last seen on the Peugeot LMP1 for example), MS wants better branding in Europe after all. So that is one idea for PW to consider.

Speed would not do anything, they are already paying more just to carry F1 than the whole USF1 team probably cost at this point. Plus it does not make sense, no need for Speed to advertise outside the US.

JV could bring Canadian sponsors, but probably not much. Ford is making nice money right now, but they sold Cosworth and Jaguar so I doubt they have any interest. Maybe some of our banks that are doing well, crap they are giving away big bonuses again, so that is out.

Verizon is Vodaphone so that is out, AT&T is still on the Williams right? McDonalds is more interested in IRL and Nascar I think, same with UPS/Fedex. Exxon has money to burn, but what F1 team are they helping? Or is that under Mobil for F1 and not the Exxon brand..

A bit weird actually trying to think of who could sponsor them. Go for lots of little brands, a slap the stickers on Nascar style I am afraid.. lol

Verizon is not Vodaphone. Verizon is a US based, publicaly traded company that was from from a variety of Baby Bells after the Bell breakup (initially Bell Atlantic) and MCI and GTE. Verizon won't be interested because the penetration in F1 in the US (the only market in which they operate) is well under a million people a broadcast.

Since USF1 is not doing anything, I guess we can talk about other things for the time being.

I thought Verizon owns/owned 55% of Vodaphone? Or wait was it a joint venture between Verizon and Vodaphone to make Verizon Wireless? My memory of it all is sketchy, maybe I should google it or something.

Vodafone owns 45% of Verizon, but you're right in that they most likely would not be interested in a sponsorship.

Wow, I can't even spell it, how is that for you!!

..of Verizon Wireless which is a JV.. not Verizon Communications.

oh god.. im already watching the next week news here in Argentina..(the biggest newspaper group its against goverment)
The President involved in a 32 million fraud!! (1 US$ = 4 AR$)

The sum is about right, are serious or kidding? Where is JML, is he going to stay in Austria?

Correct. The parent is Cellco which is the joint venture. Verizon is keen to buyout Vodafone. Either way, Verizon Wireless or Communications are not Vodafone. OTOH, TMobile is wholly owned by Deutsche Telekom after they bought Voicestream. You aren't going to find many companies that want to use F1 as a platform for US marketing efforts. Other parts of the world perhaps but over here they can get much better bang for the buck with other platforms.

Where is USF1? Did they miss the plane to get to the testing? If they make it to the first race you can bet they will be the 2 slowest cars on the track. Is the 107% qualifing rule still in place?