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[darwin dali]

A righteous U.S. Team and driver (OK, I know - not gonna happen)

You're sooo cute

It's just sad - I can't even think of a likely candidate. In the back of my mind, I think of the fact that the Austin GP looks like it's here for the long haul, and there are a bunch of Texans with money that are into motorsports. There's just got to be a possibilty in there someplace.

If F1 ran on natural gas, you could ask T. Boone Pickens

[What's Burning?]

F1 fans drink Coke, they eat McDonalds, they use Microsoft products, Apple products and eat M&Ms. Oh wait, they're all sponsoring other forms of motorsports.

I think a return to F1 for an American team at this point would have to include a return to engine manufacturing. Austin helps. If we get the NJGP on the calendar for 2014 that will help even more, but the might of a Ford engine might do the most pushing towards that goal. Let's see.

[scotty]

I think a return to F1 for and American team at this point would have to include a return to engine manufacturing. Austin helps. If we get the NJGP on the calendar for 2014 that will help even more, but the might of a Ford engine might do the most pushing towards that goal. Let's see.

I hope that happens, cause for me, getting a couple of new engine builders in is becoming increasingly important in case Renault or Mercedes drop out (unlikely but possible), and it's hard to see where they might come from, which is quite worrying.

[SoCalWJS]

I think a return to F1 for and American team at this point would have to include a return to engine manufacturing. Austin helps. If we get the NJGP on the calendar for 2014 that will help even more, but the might of a Ford engine might do the most pushing towards that goal. Let's see.

I hope that happens, cause for me, getting a couple of new engine builders in is becoming increasingly important in case Renault or Mercedes drop out (unlikely but possible), and it's hard to see where they might come from, which is quite worrying.

I'm hoping that the attendance figures and enthusiasm from Austin carries a bit of momentum into some action by a group of sponsors.

The problem is the (unfortunately well-earned) reputation of the "average" American Race Fan.

I know that I'm willing to talk F1 at the drop of a hat, but if I do so, I can see this glazed look creep into the eyes of the other person. I know of another forum I frequent, a topic was raised in the "off-topic" forum about the Ariel Atom. This guy lived within a couple of hours of Austin. It was a couple of months before the inaugural USGP at COTA. He was an obvious race fan. I asked if he was going to attend. You'd have thought I'd asked if he was going to drive to a neighboring Country to attend a sport he'd never heard of.

Seems most I talk to like ovals, straight lines, or both. You get into pit/tire strategy and you lose them.

[geetface9]

F1 fans drink Coke, they eat McDonalds, they use Microsoft products, Apple products and eat M&Ms. Oh wait, they're all sponsoring other forms of motorsports.

I think a return to F1 for an American team at this point would have to include a return to engine manufacturing. Austin helps. If we get the NJGP on the calendar for 2014 that will help even more, but the might of a Ford engine might do the most pushing towards that goal. Let's see.

Isn't cosworth ford tho? that engine is on the bottom of the food chain.

[spankyham]

I'd love to see Felipe back to his best....

Massa sure Alonso would back title bid

Felipe Massa is sure Fernando Alonso would help his cause if he was fighting for the world championship this season.

Alonso has comprehensively outscored Massa over the last three seasons, and when Massa's form improved at the end of 2012 he even took a grid penalty in Austin to move his team-mate up a place and improve Alonso's grid slot. However, Massa believes he can continue his good form in to 2013 and if that puts him in to title contention he is sure Alonso and Ferrari would back his challenge.



"I can't imagine a team not wanting two competitive drivers," Massa said. "We are fighting for two titles and I am sure the team will help me if it turns out that my situation was the same as the one that meant Fernando was a contender these past years. I remember when Kimi [Raikkonen] was my team-mate and how much we helped one another from one season to the next. It's the same with Fernando, it's team work, while the harmony between us is a help, as it would be in any job.

"In Australia we start over from zero and it will all depend on my ability and on the way the championship pans out. I hope to get off to the best possible start and my aim is always to carry the Brazilian flag onto the highest step of the podium. This year, I am the only Brazilian in Formula 1 and it was an emotional time on the podium in Interlagos last year, hearing the fans cheering my name: it's a sign of the affection and closeness I feel from my country and that is fundamental for me."

Massa said he expected defending champion Sebastian Vettel and the two McLaren drivers to be Ferrari's main opposition during this season.

"We must wait and see the new car on track and right from the second test, we will have some indication, but it won't be until Australia that we will know if we have done a good job. Vettel is definitely one of our main rivals, but McLaren also finished last year with a very quick car and the stability of the regulations means they too will be contenders. In any case, I am confident in my team and I am sure Ferrari will be in the hunt."

[darwin dali]

Shouldn't this post be in the "Ferrari Spin" thread?

[Hammer278]

I'd love to see more of this:

[LewEngBridewell]

Great dive there