My suspicious are directed exactly to him.

Ross Brawn reads a news article and it changed his mind set.

Manor are doing fine, John Booth has an impressive motorsports CV, he would not take part in a scam to sell a grid slot like Windsor is allegedly doing

how would he know then about the USf1 progress on crash testing unless he is actually calling them daily asking them for a status.

let's look at it at what they are doing.. Do you have any link to where I can look at their progress.? I have no idea who John Booth is similar to you probably not having any idea who Anderson is..

Schmidt is likely a good friend of his and he asked him for his opinions, its not unusual

None at all but it is not necessary to do business in the public eye, some, presumably Manor like to do their business in private

you are guessing..

or maybe they just don't have anything and are planning to sell their entry for millions..

There is a "special relationship" between Manor and Martin Donnelly of the FIA not to mention Nick Wirth as their technical director who is an FIA consultant, if there was a scam to sell a grid slot the FIA would have to be in on it too

and there is a special relationship with Windsor and the FIA as well.. the FIA has approved and blessed their project for ages now.

Quality post I take it you're not from the UK. Manor is well respected here and has a heritage and exceptional reputation through all the formulae. I for one have been waiting to see them get the F1 slot they deserve.

Well... If this is the case, then I'm sorry to say that I haven't seem any development from Toro Rosso neither. Are they going to do it too?
There's lots of unreasonable bias over USF1 over here, but you're not being exactly eloquent on defending the American team's case here.

of course I am not and in case you have not noticed I am just simply behaving like a euro snob (In this case an American snob) . - I don't know who they are so my credibility towards them is 0.

Oh, OK. Yeah - Look Manor are cool and will hopefully get to the grid without anyone messing them about. I for one too do beleive USF1 are on their way too. Too much paranioa man. Campos will be there too. It'll be fine....

So how many teams have an uncertainty these days... more by the media then in reality?

-Renault
-Scuderia Toro Rosso
-Campos Meta

-Lotus
-USF1
-Manor
-Qadbak/Sauber

Well 7 teams then... euh Luca.. your 3 car teams .. that's still possible.
Really guys... It used to be difficult to start up a F1 team, and in these times it still is much more difficult (even with cost-cutting)
but I hope they all do make it (even as a Ferrari fan) let's hope for the best!

me too, my feeling is that they all will.. and I don't know who Manor are but if they signed up, I take their word knowing that I don't have any other compelling argument to believe that they are all a bunch of incompetent liars so I don't go around criticizing their effort which is what a bunch of clowns are doing in here..

Yeah, for me if the FiA accepted them and are checking periodically on their progress, until we officially hear otherwise, all should be well. Silly speculation like you say gives people something to talk about I guess.... I'm looking forward to a represantitive team of the States being in F1. I think F1 should be there, shame about the loss of Indy.

that's the attitude.
anyone who takes on the challenge of making into f1 should be encouraged and not put down - the elitism crap should be trown out the window..
If they fail so what, at least they tried and is not like other teams have not failed in the past.

Well, you know what happened the last time he had some doubts and voiced his concern about something ...

the dude has been wrong in the past - (he brought up the whole tiregate issue without any sound arguments and the FIA bought his BS); anyone can say whatever they please in order to suit their agenda or to go along with their snobbishness..

At the start of the 2009 F1 season there were 3 WDC's on the grid, 2 of them had previously driven for Manor, Lewis and Kimi. Other drivers on the grid who had driven for them was Kubica and Nakajima. They've been in motorsports (with quite a bit of success) for 20 years, they aren't novices.

I hope that USF1 make it to the grid. I also hope in time that some American drivers will make it into their line-up.

are you defending them because you are British.. ?
They would all be novices in F1 which is what really matters.. Anderson has motorsport racing background also and has built cars..

I don't have any basis to rate them at the moment because they have not even tested their cars yet..
Once I see the results of race one in 2010, I can say what I think about each team and their motorsport skills.

I am an Australian? Does that make me a Euro snob?? Not likely...

Anyway from the Speed Report done by Steve Matchett it looks like nothing has been built in that F1 "factory" since showing us picture 2 months ago? The rented HASS CNC machines do not even have tools loaded to make anything? No cutters are loaded? Autoclave not hooked up? Pictures on walls without frames, 5 guys sitting at screen saver computer screens, Winsdor is asked on air to dispel the rumours about the USf1 operation and he feigns his microphone is not working?? Nice one!

So far no drivers anounced, no major sponsorhip deal, no rolling chassis, dubious amount of workers for a F1 effort in a 33000sq-ft building. 60-70 would be the most you could resonably expect to work in this size F1 facility. It look slike Petwer Windsor has 6 workers employed? This building is currently for sale with USF1 listed as a tennant...

http://www.loopnet.com/property/16301835/9...-Lakes-Parkway/

Parking for 50 people perhaps?:

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&...3&encType=1


PW continues to flutter around about drivers....Maybe Danica...Maybe Kyle Busch...Maybe Andretti....Maybe Villenueve.... all the while these drivers say that no one has contacted them. The driver is important for the sponsor, as they become the publically identifyable face for the sponsor, wear the sponsors logo, etc. As far as I have heard, no drivers have been contracted or announced.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJTynvakZok


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwcZR86pK3Y




A forum member went by the facility in Charlotte and here are hsi thoughts:


"I was in Charlotte today, and went by USF1. It is in a small building in an industrial park. The building has NO markings, other than the letters "USF1" on the front door, about two inches high. There were 17 cars in the front parking lot, and there was a gated back lot behind the building that I could not see--and did not attempt to enter.

I went inside, to find a neat, new lobby. At a 90* angle to my left, was a hallway, which had about 10 office doors opening to the hallway. Just beside the entrance to this hallway was a receptionist, named Ann, who was seated at a new desk. Behind her were two paintings of old F-1 races, but I did not recognize the venues. Directly in front of me was a door to the "back area" which was the industrial part of the building. My view was blocked by frosted glass.

To the right was a trophy case--black shelves and glass cases. These were completely empty. (Hopeful?)

While there, I chatted with Ann briefly--telling her I was a fan of F1 and asking for a tour. She said that she had never had anyone walk in and ask for a tour, and "The boss" is not here for me to ask him.

Before I left, a worker came through the door in the frosted glass--I was able to see into a machine shop--concrete floor, and typical industrial (open) finish. A few machines that looked like drill presses and CNC Lathes. None was in operation. But it was only a glimpse.

The sign in front of the building had no name on it. The building was pretty plain.

My observations . . . if you go, for example, to Miami Lakes to the offices of the Orange Bowl, you will find a highly organized operation. They have schedules of potential invitees everywhere. They have assignments == Orange Bowl committee members are scheduled to visit each team. They have their sponsors lined up and have the game programs ready for printing--just have to add teams, rosters and photos. If they knew the teams, they could put on the game in a week==they are that organized.

My quick observations of USF1 -- no way. Not even close. Maybe they will buy someone."


I hope they make it to the grid, but it seems that nothing is actually happening at the Charlotte HQ?

I'm not defending them because I am British (they are based about 17 miles from my house).

However, credibility-wise they wouldn't attempt to enter F1 if they couldn't. Whether they will be any good is a different matter. If they make it I'm expecting them to prop up the grid. They have a big motorsport history which I doubt they would dare ruin to just get into F1.

USF1, I can't wait. Its about bloody time we had a team from the States.

For all we know one of these teams could really give the big guns a run for their money.

However, back on-topic, I can see some of Ferrari's concerns. These new teams will probably all start the season in Bahrain, whether they will all be there by the time we get to Brazil is a different matter. If the teams have secured sponsorship and have long-term goals which should start low and progressively increase per year then they will be more successful, especially as the budgets come down.

We should all cross our fingers that in 5 years time all of these teams are still on the grid and aren't a silly gimmick by Max. These teams have been let in on merit (ahem in theory), they are the ones that are supposed to have the best long-term plans. How close to the truth that is, we will not know for a while.

I apologise for how long it has taken me to reply to your post but my internet has been down. Bloody Virgin, they are useless, oh hang on a minute, Manor, oh dear. Lets just hope their cars are better than their internet connection .

Quick disclaimer, just because I'm British doesn't mean I support a British team. I am a Ferrari fan and dont support any British driver. The only non-Ferrari driver I support is German. I have no British bias whatsoever.

Interesting article:


http://www.wheels.ca/Auto%20Racing/article/782837


"The 2009 Formula One season ended in Abu Dhabi last Sunday and, for Grand Prix racing fans, it might have been the day the music died.

BMW, of course, had announced mid-year it would be gone as of season's end. So there were goodbyes all round on Sunday.

Then, the bottom dropped out:

On Tuesday, Bridgestone announced it would no longer supply tires to F1 as of 2011.

Wednesday, Toyota – as expected – pulled the plug on its involvement.

Thursday, the board of the Renault car company met in Paris to discuss its future in the sport and, somewhat ominously, said afterward that it would announce "by the end of the year" what it intended to do for 2010.

A constant all week: Adrien Campos, who was awarded one of four new places on the grid for next season (along with Lotus, USF1 and Manor Grand Prix), was flying all over Europe trying to sell his team.


So what's going on?

1. It's the economy, stupid. (Sorry, that's just an expression.)

2. Ongoing concern about the FIA leadership (Max Mosley and that crowd, including the new guy, Jean Todt).

3. Bernie Ecclestone's greed (or that of his partners, CVC Capital Partners and JP Morgan).

4. The whims of the manufacturers.

Let's take a quick look at each.

1. Except for Ferrari (Marlboro cigarettes and Spanish banking giant Santander) and McLaren (Vodafone, Johnnie Walker, plus the personal wealth of Mansour Ojjeh and Ron Dennis), there is not a lot of serious money in F1 going forward.

For instance, Brawn GP – which won both the constructor's championship and the driver's title this season – does not have a title sponsor for 2010 (Virgin has gone elsewhere) and its Honda subsidy ended when the checkered flag flew at Abu Dhabi.

Renault has lost ING and, if it stays to race in 2010, might have problems attracting a title sponsor because of its involvement in race-fixing.

Red Bull, Toro Rosso and Force India are all financed out of the hip pockets of their owners, Dietrich Mateschitz and Vijay Mallya. If their personal portfolios take a hit, guess what?

Given all of the above, how will any of the four new teams get enough money to race in F1?

2. Who really – really – wants to get into bed with that bunch at the FIA who are running F1 these days? Having Max Mosley continue at the helm after his porn hobby became public was nothing but an embarrassment for everybody. Jean Todt, his successor, is being welcomed in the paddock with open arms simply because everybody knows it's going to be business as usual.

3. We all know the fable The Goose That Laid The Golden Eggs, don't we? Well, Bernie Ecclestone is killing the goose.

He's been doing it for years, of course. "Mo' money, mo' money" is Bernie's motto and he's running out of the Bahrains and Abu Dhabis willing to pay the outrageous fees demanded for the privilege of putting on an F1 race.

Canada is a case in point. One of the most successful Grands Prix on the calendar – huge crowds, huge TV audiences (in 2005, the Canadian race was the most watched F1 race in the world and the third most-watched sporting event on the planet, behind only the Super Bowl and the Champions League final) – it was taken away last year because various levels of government were unwilling to spend enough public money to save it.

You will note that there has still not been an official announcement of a race in Montreal in 2010. Guess what's holding it up?

4. Ferrari has been saying this week that the manufacturers are not dropping out because of the economy but to get back at the FIA (see 2, above). Bernie said years ago that F1 was much better off when the teams were independent and not beholden to the manufacturers "because when they don't sell as many cars, or something, they'll just pack it in."

Well, either way, look what's happened.

I don't want to be too much of a pessimist, but 2010 is shaping up to be a disaster.

nmcdonald@thestar.caNorris McDonald's auto racing blog appears daily at wheels.ca "

Brawn have funding for the next 3 seasons, '10, '11 and '12 apparently. They will only announce them at the car launch though.

I wonder who that was and why did he go . Can you please share that information?



can you tell about a similar investigation performed in Manor/Campos/Lotus headquarters?... I want to read some about that too.. Do we need to send another forum member to investigate those places too?..

We don't need to investigate anything. February we will know who is out testing with a car and who isn't. From the newspaper article it seems Campos is trying to sell his grid spot? What does it matter who went to see the operation? An F1 fan was in Charlotte and passed by the shop. I don't know him personally. He reported there was no machine work happening, a few cars in the parking lot, and basically a shell building. The owner of the building is trying to sell it as the link I provided shows. Why wouldn't Windsor and Co simply purchase the building outright? Better to rent perhaps in case things don't work out. Again I hope they make the grid as it is better for the F1 fans living here in the USA to have a US based team. Gives us a better shot at hosting a US race again, so many of us can actually attend a race during the season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbrHk0EmQP0

Watch the video....That looks like smoke and mirrors to me?

Steve Matchett needs to take acting lessons as he wasn't very convincing when claiming to be impressed.

That is the cleanest office I have ever seen in my life.

dude, I am from the states and I obviously watch speedtv so I know all about matchett's tour.
I won't waste anymore time with you because you obviously have an agenda against the usf1 team. You've spent hours looking for sources to prove that their facility is not up to speed yet, and even provided satlellite images of their parking lot. Wtf, dude.. Donlt you have anything else better to do?
I asked you to provide the source but you refused to.. I also asked you to provide some similar info about the other teams but you said you don't need to and that you'll wait until you see them test. This clearly demostrates that you are simply concentrated in putting down the usf1 efforts.
go on inspector gadget continue with your ridiculous investigation I won't stop you.

I am not concentrating on putting down USF1's efforts. I have not spent more than 5 minutes looking into the teams progress online and I am simply pointing out some potential issues this outfit may be having? Campos is trying to sell his team according to a newspaper report that I posted? How is that bias against USF1 exactly? Get a grip dude....

you are probably the one who took the trip to NC also.

What you have written here has taken you more than 5 minutes, that's for sure.. inspector Gadget.

That ESPN video was very good. It convinced me (I have allways kept the faith with regards to USF1) that they are at a quite advanced stage with design and manufacturing.

You either have to take the information and what you are seing on the video at face value or you have to believe that there is a conspiracy that involves several people at USF1, FIA (they claimed to be impressed after their visit to Charlotte) and ESPN. This conspiracy must have been set up to deceive all of us.

Obviously nothing of what we have seen from any of the 4 new teams is a guarantee that they will be on the grid next year, as that relies on many other factors as well (sponsorship deals might come to nothing etc.). But as I have said previously, there really is nothing that indicates that USF1 is in a worse state than the other 3 new entrants.

Actualy I live in California, so no trip to Charlotte for me... A member on another forum posted that message about his trip. I simply copied and pasted it here. Do you work for USF1? Is that why you are so concerned about people questioning if they are going to make the grid in 2010? If not, why do you care what I post? At this stage it seems that 2 of these 4 new teams seems less than likely to line up come 2010. Campos is flying around Europe trying to sell his spot? That does not bode well for his entry. USF1 also seems like a long shot, but who really knows until February when the cars are launched? I for one hope to see USF1 line up on the grid, with hopefully a good car and some talent behind the wheel.

It's strange that the only one of the 4 new teams that was committed to enter F1 even without the proposed budget cap is the one being questioned all the time...

Anyway, this article on German site Motorsport Total should maybe prove helpful to those who talk about the sale of the team...

http://www.motorsport-total.com/f1/news/20...n_09110705.html

Translated with Google (and slight editing by me) so bear with me...

In a piece on Speed earlier this year Anderson was interviewed giving a tour just after they took possession of the building. He stated the current operation is only "phase 1" of the project and that long term they were looking at getting into a purpose built facility would would be larger and also have in house video/media production capability.

I am certainly behind the USF1 effort and believe they will be the second best new team next season, Lotus being the best newcomer.

One aspect of the team I am concerned with is the European (Spanish) facility. If it was designated as the test facility, and there is a ban on testing, I am not so sure how much value it will provide.

Nonetheless, I think announcing drivers will clear the air in terms of the uncertainty.

My two drivers would be Sebastian Bourdais and Kovalainen (if we could get him).

Yes, they quickly wheeled all those large and very expensive machines in just for two minutes' camera time, then hustled them out as soon as the cameras were gone.

Smoke and mirrors my arse. It has to be said: if you think that was a hoax, you're an absolute idiot.

The Aragon base is for race operations. They'll base the transporters and equipment there for ground operations for the European legs and drive the equipment to the DHL cargo terminals for the fly aways. Pre season testing is not banned (though limited to 15,000 km per team or about the distance of 50 race events) and it would be less expensive to have an operation based at a team's primary test track rather than traveling the whole operation. My guess would be that they'll recruit race crew from those already in the UK or Europe and fly them as needed to races. There was already word that there would be some sort of company apartment complex in Aragon for when the team was at the track.

Bourdais is said to be difficult to work with and not so good at developing cars. They need some with experience testing and developing and I don't think they could afford Heikki though I think he'd be pretty good in that role.

Good news on the Aragon base then. Good to hear. Thinking about it, Ferrari has had Mugello for years so this is right up that alley.

Hopefully USF1 can gobble up some talent from Toyota and BMW's ex workforce.

You do know that the machines were already in place from the NASCAR team they are renting the premises from?

WOULD SOMEBODY GIVE US THE TRUTH ALREADY?!!!!

Is this all fact or fiction?

I'm ready to take a few days off and drive down there myself to see WTF is going on.

Windsor and Anderson should hold a press conference on SPEED and REALLY tell us where they are.

What happened to all the "open to the public" stuff?

I, as a life long F1 fan, REALLY want to see USF1 become a reality, and bring back a race to the U.S.

And I had great hopes for the effort.

I really believed that these two guys are for real.

But, reading some of the stuff on here, I am starting to have my doubts.

Somebody, somewhere, tell me the truth!

As you can probably tell, I'm frustrated that we can't get any sort of sensible info.

That seems to be at odds with the reports that the building was empty when USF1 moved in.

Why are you all so desperate to see USF1 fail, anyway? Surely more teams is a good thing, right?

I'm not sure people WANT to see USF1 fail so much as they just want to know exactly how everything is supposed to work.

Personally, for me, until I see the car on the grid at Bahrain I won't believe it. And that goes for every single new team. Lotus, Manor, Campos. Not just USF1.

Sticking with USF1 though the only thing bothering me (and I tihnk quite a few people) are the logistics. So, the manufacturing is happening in the US as well? I can understand all the design happening in the States and then transferring the information to their European base for manufacturing but if they have to build every part and then ship it out over the ocean every single time then I can see problems arising quickly not to mention huge shipping costs.

Fact is Formula 1 is a Europe/Asia/Mid East centric championship and if I recall every other team is Europe-based. Hell, even the Japanese manufactuers were based in the UK and Germany.

This almost seems like it's turning into a Michael Andretti saga only on a team-level rather than a driver-level.

Some people seem to be getting way too defensive and way too emotionally invested in this thread, too. "Euro-Snob"? Give me a break.

Some people are allowing national pride to get in the way of rational discussion.

Lets hope they are on the grid in a decent car.

Finally, an intelligent response.

However, I think there's a large difference between saying people simply want to know how it's all working and accusing USF1 of being some giant fraud with setting up an entire base of operations being a smokescreen for the cameras to hide the idea that they have no intention of making the grid.

Wrong. The shop was empty, and a typical Nascar shop mess, with lots of little fab rooms, engine dyno cells, etc. It was completely gutted over the last few months. All those machines are brand new.