94 replies to this topic

[Disgrace]

Sargeant goes the way of Scott Speed - dumped mid-way through year two. Other than a brief cameo at Marussia for Rossi, that's your lot for this century, with one point between them.

 

Who are the realistic F1 prospects? Will Herta or Kirkwood make the jump? Or are they already based in Europe, like Crawford? Might it be McLaren FRECA junior Ugo Ugochukwu?

[aportinga]

Clearly Kyle Larson.

[JvsKVB77]

Sargeant goes the way of Scott Speed - dumped mid-way through year two. Other than a brief cameo at Marussia for Rossi, that's your lot for this century, with one point between them.

 

Who are the realistic F1 prospects? Will Herta or Kirkwood make the jump? Or are they already based in Europe, like Crawford? Might it be McLaren FRECA junior Ugo Ugochukwu?

Ugo maybe will have his chance, but none of them are driver which F1 need to have, only sort of which F1 can have. 

[InSearchOfThe]

If/when Michael gets his F2/F3 teams approved.
Although they're even afraid of that happening.

Edited by InSearchOfThe, 27 August 2024 - 19:50.

[kralizec]

I know how the term "American" is commonly used and understood, but the pedant in me can't resist the temptation of pointing out that, as an Argentinian, Franco Colapinto is, in fact, American.

Edit: This comment is obviously tongue-in-cheek. Also, I should have mentioned Checo! He's even North American!

Edited by kralizec, 27 August 2024 - 20:04.

[Anja]

Ugochukwu is probably the obvious answer. I don't think he's quite living up to the hype right now but he still has a few years to really prove himself.

 

Other than him, I don't really see anyone worthy on the horizon. 

Edited by Anja, 27 August 2024 - 20:04.

[jals99]

Ugochukwu is probably the obvious answer. I don't think he's quite living up to the hype right now but he still has a few years to really prove himself.

Other than him, I don't really see anyone worthy on the horizon.

Hopefully Ugo,but he struggles a lot this year even Prema says it is car problems,not just his fault,but he does not impress in GB3 as well

[TomNokoe]

Herta with Andretti!

[DeKnyff]

I know how the term "American" is commonly used and understood, but the pedant in me can't resist the temptation of pointing out that, as an Argentinian, Franco Colapinto is, in fact, American.

Edit: This comment is obviously tongue-in-cheek. Also, I should have mentioned Checo! He's even North American!

 

And Stroll.

[ANF]

Jak Crawford has been doing well in F2 lately.

[NewMrMe]

Crawford looks the most likely at the moment but he will need to improve. Ugochukwu seems to be losing his way of late.

 

I think it is someone we haven't heard of yet. I also think it is more likely to be someone who progresses through the European junior series as opposed to someone making the switch from Indycar.

 

The above is all assuming it is drivers earning their place on merit. A billionaire's offspring could always buy there way in somehow.

[jonpollak]

Santucci !!!!
Jp

[pdac]

Herta with Andretti!

 

So never, then.

[Myrvold]

Ugo maybe will have his chance, but none of them are driver which F1 need to have, only sort of which F1 can have. 

 

I wonder how many years it will take me to not autocomplete with "Ehiogu" when reading "Ugo".

 

I have a feeling there will be a while. Aston Martin is probably locked off for a while, I don't think Stroll is going to pair up Stroll with Crawford, they will likely want a big name when Alonso leaves.

[loki]

I know how the term "American" is commonly used and understood, but the pedant in me can't resist the temptation of pointing out that, as an Argentinian, Franco Colapinto is, in fact, American.

Edit: This comment is obviously tongue-in-cheek. Also, I should have mentioned Checo! He's even North American!

I was thinking the same.  With Stroll and Checo they’ll have three Americans in F1.  

[loki]

There won’t be any US drivers for a few years.  Perhaps several years.  F1, we’re just not that into you…

[FirstnameLastname]

Whoever is lead Andretti driver

[Anderis]

I know how the term "American" is commonly used and understood, but the pedant in me can't resist the temptation of pointing out that, as an Argentinian, Franco Colapinto is, in fact, American.

Edit: This comment is obviously tongue-in-cheek. Also, I should have mentioned Checo! He's even North American!

This kind of pedantism would be fine if the English language had another word for someone coming from the USA but I don't think it does.

[krapmeister]

Herta with the outside chance that Andretti gets on the grid. I don't see Kirkwood in F1 at all tbh, even if Andretti gets to F1 - he would stay in Indycar.

As posted above, the next US F1 driver is probably someone we haven't heard of yet.

Edited by krapmeister, 28 August 2024 - 00:15.

[BoDarvelle]

Sting Ray Robb

[Jackmancer]

Jak Crawford or a name we haven't heard of.

[eibyyz]

Myles Rowe in a Penske-Porsche. :-)

[thermonuclear]

Sonny Hayes

[loki]

This kind of pedantism would be fine if the English language had another word for someone coming from the USA but I don't think it does.

Yank.  Or Yankee if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.

[BoDarvelle]

Yank.  Or Yankee if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.

 

Southern rednecks would take offence.

[loki]

Whoever is lead Andretti driver

 

 

Herta with the outside chance that Andretti gets on the grid. I don't see Kirkwood in F1 at all tbh, even if Andretti gets to F1 - he would stay in Indycar.

As posted above, the next US F1 driver is probably someone we haven't heard of yet.

 

I don’t see Herta getting the requisite number of points.  Even without that his consistency can be lacking.  Any Andretti Cadillac entry will need to be someone on the grid now or currently in the ladder.  The current and next crop of US kids aren’t racing formula cars.  Add in the license points requirement and the option are nearly nil.  Once an Andretti Cadillac F2 and F3 feeder program will help accelerate it.  If the kids over here see some light at the end of the tunnel coming from karts into F3 is a good possibility.  Right now there are no options that’s why they go to circle track.  Or don’t progress past karts and club racing.  

[PayasYouRace]

This kind of pedantism would be fine if the English language had another word for someone coming from the USA but I don't think it does.

Yankee?

[DeKnyff]

This kind of pedantism would be fine if the English language had another word for someone coming from the USA but I don't think it does.

 

I'm no authority in English language, but can't you use 'US' as an adjective, equivalent to 'American'? Maybe not grammatically correct, but English language grammar is quite liberal.

 

So:

"Who will be the next American F1 driver?"

"Who will be the next US F1 driver?"

 

As a side note, in Spanish and Italian there are the words 'estadounidense' and 'statiunitense', which literally translate as 'unitedstatesian', but they are rarely used and instead people say 'Americano'.

[PayasYouRace]

I'm no authority in English language, but can't you use 'US' as an adjective, equivalent to 'American'? Maybe not grammatically correct, but English language grammar is quite liberal.

So:
"Who will be the next American F1 driver?"
"Who will be the next US F1 driver?"

As a side note, in Spanish and Italian there are the words 'estadounidense' and 'statiunitense', which literally translate as 'unitedstatesian', but they are rarely used and instead people say 'Americano'.

I’ve seen people use USAian or USian, but they never really seem to catch on. I think most people understand “American” to be the demonym of the United States, and people tend to append north or south if talking about the continent of origin.

[pdac]

Whoever is lead Andretti driver

 

This topic is about F1.

[Secretariat]

Sargeant goes the way of Scott Speed - dumped mid-way through year two. Other than a brief cameo at Marussia for Rossi, that's your lot for this century, with one point between them.

 

Who are the realistic F1 prospects? Will Herta or Kirkwood make the jump? Or are they already based in Europe, like Crawford? Might it be McLaren FRECA junior Ugo Ugochukwu?

Andretti Cadillac entry battle aside, I think the list of US drivers over the past decade plus lends credence to Andretti's opinion about the kinds of opportunity US drivers get and in his words, not treated the same. If the Andretti vision for driver development comes to pass, then we will see a few more drivers. I don't see a US driver in F1 for a number of years unless Andretti Cadillac break through the barriers of entry soon. However, in fairness and in contrast to the above, we will see how Jak Crawford develops as he does have a place at Aston Martin where the primary owner is North American. 

Edited by Secretariat, 28 August 2024 - 10:39.

[arrysen]

Andretti Cadillac entry battle aside, I think the list of US drivers over the past decade plus lends credence to Andretti's opinion about the kinds of opportunity US drivers get and in his words, not treated the same.

I'm really not sure that I buy that (not being treated the same).

 

What I DO know is that drivers from various other parts of the world (& for that matter, team personnel) all understand that if you want to get into F1, you need to be in the same location as the teams, right where you can be seen and interact - which means Europe. Brazilians know that, Australians, Kiwis etc. Of course, some drivers from those countries choose to go to the US and have a crack there, knowing that it likely rules them out of F1 (because they're in the wrong spot) but knowing that they can still build a pro career in the US.

 

As a couple of posters pointed out in the "Kyle is better than Max" thread, there's a lot of racing in the US and a very large amount of it is ovals, which F1 doesn't run on. So to REALLY show what they can do, US drivers, same as drivers from anywhere outside Europe, need to go to Europe and participate. 

 

Staying in the US and saying that drivers from there are treated differently is just trying to be a victim - it simply doesn't wash.

 

Number of drivers getting gigs is not a good indicator anyway, given the small number that are part of the F1 world. Have had plenty of big gaps where there are no (for instance) Aussies in F1 yet seem to be doing OK in that regard just now. We're about to get our first Argentinian in a very long time next year, Brazil has been absent for a while but at one stage was heavily represented - this things tend to be cyclical.

Edited by arrysen, 28 August 2024 - 12:28.

[Secretariat]

I'm really not sure that I buy that (not being treated the same).

 

What I DO know is that drivers from various other parts of the world (& for that matter, team personnel) all understand that if you want to get into F1, you need to be in the same location as the teams, right where you can be seen and interact - which means Europe. Brazilians know that, Australians, Kiwis etc. Of course, some drivers from those countries choose to go to the US and have a crack there, knowing that it likely rules them out of F1 (because they're in the wrong spot) but knowing that they can still build a pro career in the US.

 

As a couple of posters pointed out in the "Kyle is better than Max" thread, there's a lot of racing in the US and a very large amount of it is ovals, which F1 doesn't run on. So to REALLY show what they can do, US drivers, same as drivers from anywhere outside Europe, need to go to Europe and participate. 

 

Staying in the US and saying that drivers from there are treated differently is just trying to be a victim - it simply doesn't wash.

 

Number of drivers getting gigs is not a good indicator anyway, given the small number that are part of the F1 world. Have had plenty of big gaps where there are no (for instance) Aussies in F1 yet seem to be doing OK in that regard just now. We're about to get our first Argentinian in a very long time next year, Brazil has been absent for a while but at one stage was heavily represented - this things tend to be cyclical.

Yeah, those are his words. For context Andretti has said the following: "It's not just American drivers, but it'll be a good ladder for American drivers,” he told Autosport. “We're going to still be looking for the best talent in the world. “But it's going to give an American driver a fair chance, because normally when an American comes over here, they're not treated the same. “Here in our team, you're going to be treated fairly, all the way up through the system and plus for us, we'll then be able to really tell the talent, how real it is or not. “Because a lot of times you don't know, some father might be paying for 200 days of testing and things like that to make their kid look good! So here we'll know what we have.”

 

He has a perspective on it in the same way any other race team owner and/or team principal has an opinion on driver development and opportunities. He navigates the question of driver opportunity everyday in multiple top level series. I don't think he is reliving some trauma or trying to score nationalism points, so in my opinion it is worth a listen.

 

In terms of series, there are plenty of road racing series in the United States that run the range from grassroots to top level professional series. The inference that the US is mostly ovals is simply incorrect. The important distinction is the machinery that is being used and whether one thinks a driver has talent that translates to whatever discipline they are competing in or hoping to compete in.

[Sterzo]

So to REALLY show what they can do, US drivers, same as drivers from anywhere outside Europe, need to go to Europe and participate.

I agree with all your comments, arrysen, and would supplement the above point by saying quite a few US drivers have indeed raced in Europe and, like drivers of all other nationaiities, may not have quite made it up the slippery slope to F1. Just from the current Indycar grid, the following have raced in Europe, and I've watched most of them trackside in England: Kyle Kirkwood, Graham Rahal, Josef Newgarden, Colton Herta, Alexander Rossi, Conor Daly.

 

Not all were pursuing F1 as a target, but then many other Americans have done so while racing in Europe and aren't on that list - just like uncountable names from other countries.

 

I think any concept that there are barriers to accepting US drivers in F1 is complete nonsense. What does make more sense is that if a US driver either doesn't want or can't reach F1, there are more opportunities for a professional career at home than in other countries.

[Secretariat]

I agree with all your comments, arrysen, and would supplement the above point by saying quite a few US drivers have indeed raced in Europe and, like drivers of all other nationaiities, may not have quite made it up the slippery slope to F1. Just from the current Indycar grid, the following have raced in Europe, and I've watched most of them trackside in England: Kyle Kirkwood, Graham Rahal, Josef Newgarden, Colton Herta, Alexander Rossi, Conor Daly.

 

Not all were pursuing F1 as a target, but then many other Americans have done so while racing in Europe and aren't on that list - just like uncountable names from other countries.

 

I think any concept that there are barriers to accepting US drivers in F1 is complete nonsense. What does make more sense is that if a US driver either doesn't want or can't reach F1, there are more opportunities for a professional career at home than in other countries.

I will play on this side of fence for a bit. Most of the drivers noted here are established drivers, not development drivers. Interestingly team principals like Wolff and Vasseur rather see more US drivers than another US team, but frame the discussion around improving the Super License points system, not growing drivers in their own development programs. The distinction Andretti is talking about is driver development, not simply having more US drivers come to Europe. If they are not getting opportunities in those established development programs, Andretti's position is, he will fill the void.

Edited by Secretariat, 28 August 2024 - 13:16.

[Nathan]

In terms of series, there are plenty of road racing series in the United States that run the range from grassroots to top level professional series. The inference that the US is mostly ovals is simply incorrect. The important distinction is the machinery that is being used and whether one thinks a driver has talent that translates to whatever discipline they are competing in or hoping to compete in.

 

But past karting the talent level at American circuit racing isn't completely there to help develop a prodigy.  While not the 'be-all-end-all' of U.S. motorsports, circle track racing does soak up more than its share of naturally gifted American racers. Most of the quick Americans in Indycar spent junior time in Europe.  If you want to develop your kid as a hockey player, you send them to a bantam league in Minnesota or Massachusetts, not Louisiana.

[KLF1F]

Ojo! In many countries, in school you are taught that America is one continent (and not N. and S.) and that an American is someone from this massive continent. I'm not entirely sure why it is taught that way, or even if it is justified to teach it this way. Of course, in local dialect American can mean US person and can be taken in that context.
 

This kind of pedantism would be fine if the English language had another word for someone coming from the USA but I don't think it does.

I suggest using Gringo until a better word is invented! 

As for the question: Nolan Siegel

 

[markpenske]

Nikita Johnson

[Nathan]

In many countries, in school you are taught that America is one continent (and not N. and S.) and that an American is someone from this massive continent. I'm not entirely sure why it is taught that way, or even if it is justified to teach it this way. 

 

I don't get why this is done.  No Canadian, Mexican, Brazilian, Columbia et al would refer to themselves as being American (edit: unless trying to be ).  Unlike Europe, I don't think in the America's there is much identity attached to one's continent, other than of Latino decent defining their place in the world.

Edited by Nathan, 28 August 2024 - 13:54.

[Secretariat]

But past karting the talent level at American circuit racing isn't completely there to help develop a prodigy.  While not the 'be-all-end-all' of U.S. motorsports, circle track racing does soak up more than its share of naturally gifted American racers. Most of the quick Americans in Indycar spent junior time in Europe.  If you want to develop your kid as a hockey player, you send them to a bantam league in Minnesota or Massachusetts, not Louisiana.

I don't dispute that and generally agree with that. I would say NASCAR has a residual influence on ovals vs. road racing just as it has a residual impact (for good or for bad) on IMSA, one of it's assets. But that is kind of the point Andretti is making regarding driver development; get them in the environment but with a fair shot at actually developing.

Edited by Secretariat, 28 August 2024 - 13:52.

[BoDarvelle]

 

 

In terms of series, there are plenty of road racing series in the United States that run the range from grassroots to top level professional series. The inference that the US is mostly ovals is simply incorrect.

 

Using just one state as an example, there are around 25 ovals in the state of Wisconsin. There is one road course; Road America.

 

The US is decidedly mostly ovals.

[Nathan]

But that is kind of the point Andretti is making regarding driver development; get them in the environment but with a fair shot at actually developing.

 

So why doesn't Andretti have an F3/F2 operation in Europe?  I don't see leadership from them regarding getting American drivers in F1.  One can very fairly say that was never their M.O. until 2 or so years ago, but even if you are just going to bring drivers back to Indycar Euro offers a world class development path.  Anyone doing professional UK F4/F3/F2 for 5 years is going to be a developed 20 year old racing driver ready to take on Indycar.  And having looked into it, there is enough gap between Euro races to get some NXT oval races in the whole time unless you wanted to do 40 F4 events a year.  From a career standpoint, I was surprised to see Marco didn't go to Europe.  But then if one wants to talk about being continental snobs...Michael's family likely developed a sour 'Euro' thing, didn't they?

[aportinga]

Realistically no credible U.S. driver would move the needle at all as far as popularity of F1 in the United States. These drivers have not even managed to do that in Indycar since the Unser/Andretti days.

 

If F1 is looking to increase market exposure using an American driver - they should just throw money at Kyle Larson or some popular NASCAR driver and make it a gimmick - F1 becomes Driver to Survive essentially.  

 

No we don't want that of course - especially Max 

 

I guess my point is why we need an American (U.S.) driver - what's the point? It's not going to improve F1's foot print in the United States or anywhere else in the world for that matter so lets give it to drivers who are in the system and working hard to make it in F1, regardless of where they are from.

Edited by aportinga, 28 August 2024 - 14:29.

[eibyyz]

I don’t see Herta getting the requisite number of points.  Even without that his consistency can be lacking.  Any Andretti Cadillac entry will need to be someone on the grid now or currently in the ladder.  The current and next crop of US kids aren’t racing formula cars.  Add in the license points requirement and the option are nearly nil.  Once an Andretti Cadillac F2 and F3 feeder program will help accelerate it.  If the kids over here see some light at the end of the tunnel coming from karts into F3 is a good possibility.  Right now there are no options that’s why they go to circle track.  Or don’t progress past karts and club racing.  

 

I've seen the requirements for a SL before, but IIRC, the only way an IndyCar driver gets one is to win the championship (excepting guys like Scotty Mac who came into the series with one).  

[Sterzo]

The table of Super Licence points awarded for different championships is bizarre, with the "curve" of points awarded different in different series for some mysterious reason. I defy anyone to look at in Wikipedia without scratching his head.

 

https://en.wikipedia...A_Super_Licence

 

Reminds me of when I once queried a decision with a company CEO. He said it was made at a lunch time meeting, and his pork pie had covered up the relevant figures.

[Secretariat]

Using just one state as an example, there are around 25 ovals in the state of Wisconsin. There is one road course; Road America.

 

The US is decidedly mostly ovals.

So it is appropriate to use one state of fifty to make that assertion? It is easier to make 1/8 mile 1/4 mile oval than say a two mile road course. The important aspect to this is how many series are dedicated to oval vs. road racing or combination there of.

Edited by Secretariat, 28 August 2024 - 17:31.

[Secretariat]

So why doesn't Andretti have an F3/F2 operation in Europe?  I don't see leadership from them regarding getting American drivers in F1.  One can very fairly say that was never their M.O. until 2 or so years ago, but even if you are just going to bring drivers back to Indycar Euro offers a world class development path.  Anyone doing professional UK F4/F3/F2 for 5 years is going to be a developed 20 year old racing driver ready to take on Indycar.  And having looked into it, there is enough gap between Euro races to get some NXT oval races in the whole time unless you wanted to do 40 F4 events a year.  From a career standpoint, I was surprised to see Marco didn't go to Europe.  But then if one wants to talk about being continental snobs...Michael's family likely developed a sour 'Euro' thing, didn't they?

He is trying to establish F2/F3 and tie it to the prospective F1 operation. The current barrier is: "The CEO of Formula 2 and Formula 3 says there isn’t room in either series for Andretti to enter as an additional team."

 

https://www.racefans.net/2024/05/02/andretti-must-work-with-or-replace-existing-team-to-enter-f2-or-f3-ceo/

[milestone 11]

This kind of pedantism would be fine if the English language had another word for someone coming from the USA but I don't think it does.

We have a word for the buggers here, estadounidense, the locals refer to me as this when I tell them I'm from Jersey. Then I give up.

Edited by milestone 11, 28 August 2024 - 17:34.

[arrysen]

In terms of series, there are plenty of road racing series in the United States that run the range from grassroots to top level professional series. The inference that the US is mostly ovals is simply incorrect. The important distinction is the machinery that is being used and whether one thinks a driver has talent that translates to whatever discipline they are competing in or hoping to compete in.

Whether there are more ovals or not (there are more ovals) in the US is not the point. The point is that the ovals are there and there's a long history and strength to racing on them that at least rivals "road racing" and I'd suggest overshadows it. So if you take the total talent pool of drivers in the US, it is at least divided, so not all, or I'd suggest not the majority, are undertaking "road racing" which reduces the total talent pool suitable to head towards F1.

 

I agree with all your comments, arrysen, and would supplement the above point by saying quite a few US drivers have indeed raced in Europe and, like drivers of all other nationaiities, may not have quite made it up the slippery slope to F1. Just from the current Indycar grid, the following have raced in Europe, and I've watched most of them trackside in England: Kyle Kirkwood, Graham Rahal, Josef Newgarden, Colton Herta, Alexander Rossi, Conor Daly.

 

Not all were pursuing F1 as a target, but then many other Americans have done so while racing in Europe and aren't on that list - just like uncountable names from other countries.

 

I think any concept that there are barriers to accepting US drivers in F1 is complete nonsense. What does make more sense is that if a US driver either doesn't want or can't reach F1, there are more opportunities for a professional career at home than in other countries.

Agree Sterzo & your last para really nails it. Danica of course had a go in Europe too and there'll be many others.

 

I will play on this side of fence for a bit. Most of the drivers noted here are established drivers, not development drivers. Interestingly team principals like Wolff and Vasseur rather see more US drivers than another US team, but frame the discussion around improving the Super License points system, not growing drivers in their own development programs. The distinction Andretti is talking about is driver development, not simply having more US drivers come to Europe. If they are not getting opportunities in those established development programs, Andretti's position is, he will fill the void.

Were they established drivers when they went to Europe? I'd suspect not. Development programs (of one kind or another) are open to fast drivers who look to have promise - nationality doesn't come into it. HOWEVER, they DO need to be in Europe competing, as that is the only way to really judge them against quality peers. The best single-seater circuit racers from all around the world head to Europe - so are bench marked against the best of the best. US drivers can be part of that any time they want to and they'll either be good enough or they won't. If Andretti really believes there's a void, he could have filled it anytime with a European operation and now that they have one, he might just do that - will see how it goes.

 

I don't dispute that and generally agree with that. I would say NASCAR has a residual influence on ovals vs. road racing just as it has a residual impact (for good or for bad) on IMSA, one of it's assets. But that is kind of the point Andretti is making regarding driver development; get them in the environment but with a fair shot at actually developing.

Any driver getting to Europe has a fair shot - provided they can generate the funding of course (something that I suspect is more feasible for US drivers due the size of the US economy). Same applies for all nationalities - it IS very much a dog eat dog situation but they all start from the same point, need to get the funding happening and show their talent and the teams in the junior formulae then develop that talent.

 

Realistically no credible U.S. driver would move the needle at all as far as popularity of F1 in the United States. These drivers have not even managed to do that in Indycar since the Unser/Andretti days.

 

If F1 is looking to increase market exposure using an American driver - they should just throw money at Kyle Larson or some popular NASCAR driver and make it a gimmick - F1 becomes Driver to Survive essentially.  

 

No we don't want that of course - especially Max 

 

I guess my point is why we need an American (U.S.) driver - what's the point? It's not going to improve F1's foot print in the United States or anywhere else in the world for that matter so lets give it to drivers who are in the system and working hard to make it in F1, regardless of where they are from.

Good points and yes, don't know how much difference having a US driver (unless they are running near the front) would make to the foot print. One of our US friends might be able to answer that.

[Secretariat]

1. Whether there are more ovals or not (there are more ovals) in the US is not the point. The point is that the ovals are there and there's a long history and strength to racing on them that at least rivals "road racing" and I'd suggest overshadows it. So if you take the total talent pool of drivers in the US, it is at least divided, so not all, or I'd suggest not the majority, are undertaking "road racing" which reduces the total talent pool suitable to head towards F1.

 

2. Were they established drivers when they went to Europe? I'd suspect not. Development programs (of one kind or another) are open to fast drivers who look to have promise - nationality doesn't come into it. HOWEVER, they DO need to be in Europe competing, as that is the only way to really judge them against quality peers. The best single-seater circuit racers from all around the world head to Europe - so are bench marked against the best of the best. US drivers can be part of that any time they want to and they'll either be good enough or they won't. If Andretti really believes there's a void, he could have filled it anytime with a European operation and now that they have one, he might just do that - will see how it goes.

 

3. Any driver getting to Europe has a fair shot - provided they can generate the funding of course (something that I suspect is more feasible for US drivers due the size of the US economy). Same applies for all nationalities - it IS very much a dog eat dog situation but they all start from the same point, need to get the funding happening and show their talent and the teams in the junior formulae then develop that talent.

 

1. This is satisfactory to me that there is plenty of road racing opportunity here in the US, thus talent, which was my main point.

 

2. Fair. No, they were not. I agree the place to be is Europe. However, the general question remains in the context of Andretti's opinion: did the drivers that Sterzo mentioned get a fair opportunity after being in Europe?

 

3. Is it really a dog eat dog world when we know getting to F1 is not a meritocracy. Particularly when everyone shouts about pay drivers, money and so on. Given sponsorships are involved, nationality plays a role in decision that some organizations make. Would you argue having a German driver does not matter to Audi at the moment?