FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[EwanM]

Patrick rules out F1 move

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77079

By Jonathan Noble Sunday, July 19th 2009, 14:23 GMT

Danica Patrick has all but ruled out a switch to Formula 1, despite speculation linking her to the new Team US F1.

The IndyCar Series frontrunner, whose contract with Andretti Green Racing expires at the end of this season, is mulling over her options for 2010.

She could choose to remain in IndyCar, or make the switch to NASCAR, but it appears she has rejected trying to make the move to F1.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Patrick was asked if she had narrowed down her search into a specific category and responded: "I'd say it's probably not F1."

Team US F1 has made it clear that it wants American drivers on board for next year, but Patrick claims the team has not made contact with her.

"I've had opportunities to take it a step further with Formula 1, and I don't want to lead anyone down a path," she said. "It's not in my heart to go there. I've explored Europe before.

"I particularly like to be here and I like my family and I like my friends and I like my creature comforts of my home country."

Patrick said that at the moment her mind was open about what she would do in the future.

"At the end of the day I've got to go with my gut about what I want to do," she said.

"At the end of the day the team has to make sense, the deal's got to make sense; the progression has to make sense. I might race IndyCar and never go to NASCAR at all. I'm not really sure right now. We'll see."

Speculation in the IndyCar paddock suggests that if Patrick chooses to remain in the series rather than switching to NASCAR, she is likely to leave the currently struggling AGR team and move to champion squad Ganassi.

[EwanM]

Well two words jump out at me: Comfort Zone.

[f1ea]

Well two words jump out at me: Comfort Zone.

Only 1 for me: Playboy

[texasmr2]

Well two words jump out at me: Comfort Zone.

My thought aswell .

Only 1 for me: Playboy

[Hexagram]

Well two words jump out at me: Comfort Zone.

Bourdais getting the boot from Toro Rosso has probably scared her a little bit too.

[Stealthgate007]

I have respect of the Fact that shes not trying to lead anybody down the wrong path. I mean how many times do we hear that Alonso is going to Ferrari? Whether he does or not we've been hearing the speculation for years to no avail.

I would have taken a test when Nick Fry gave an invitation though..

[RA Dunk]

Hubba Hubba

[Hanwombat]

THANK FCUK

[phiend]

Well two words jump out at me: Comfort Zone.

Could it be money or saving face instead of not having a desire to leave whats comfortable? The article quotes her as saying USF1 has not approached her as of yet. If she publicly expressed her desire to drive for them, but was never contacted, it could hurt her ego a bit. And money, I'm not positive, but I'd suspect after endorsements she could probably make more money in America driving for a NASCAR team than she would driving for USF1. I honestly doubt her sole intention is to make as much money as possible, otherwise she wouldn't be racing in IRL still with potentially more profitable series open to her.

All in all, I still don't believe she would be able to compete with the front runners in F1, and would probably struggle in NASCAR as well. IRL is IMO the best place for her.

[Rivelution]

THANK FCUK

[Gaz]

THANK FCUK

lol

she's not good enough for F1 she knows it.

[racechick]

Id quite like to have seen her give it a whirl. Spose if it didnt work out it would have screwed her Indy chances.

[McLaren Fan]

She's barely good enough for Mickey Mouse racing series in the US, so she's hardly good enough for Formula One. If Patrick was honest with herself, she'd know that, too.

[racechick]

She's barely good enough for Mickey Mouse racing series in the US, so she's hardly good enough for Formula One. If Patrick was honest with herself, she'd know that, too.

Isnt that what shes just done??

[McLaren Fan]

Isnt that what shes just done??

Not quite, as Patrick is putting it down to family reasons etc.