USF1

[Ultra]

Bob Varsha does a walk around and we get to see the genesis of USF1.

http://www.youtube.com/v/UppLHyLL4yQ

http://www.youtube.com/v/yEGK1MxvWTo

[Otto Puzzell]

gear!

When's Bob gonna lose the circa 1968 Everly Brothers haircut?

[MG]

Spoken like someone who is going bald and has "hair envy", perhaps?   

Not so sure if Bob's coiffure is so much this



as it is this

[Otto Puzzell]

That looks like a late 50's early 60's shot of the Bros. Note the year I referenced

[Ultra]

http://www.youtube.com/v/LVnz4GoPyss


http://www.youtube.com/v/suhCBcKhbis

[MG]

According to Robert Doornbos, USF1 and Campos are selling their race seats for $5,000,000 each. Seems like a lot to ask for a chance to drive for a team that has a

A. New car that has never set a wheel on a track

B. Eschewed wind tunnel development for a fancy computer program

C. Powered by an unknown engine

One suspects that Piquet Jr was one of the people who could have bought a race seat but decided to pass, dazzled by the allure of NASCAR truck racing! 

Some rumblings on the internet that Jack Newtown may be interested, though. Nigell Mansell, Alan Jones and Nikki Lauda also are available......

[Otto Puzzell]

According to Robert Doornbos, USF1 and Campos are selling their race seats for $5,000,000 each. Seems like a lot to ask for a chance to drive for a team that has a

B. Eschewed wind tunnel development for a fancy computer program

Not exactly. The car's aero was modeled on a computor, but it will indeed be wind-tunnel tested.

Like Virgin Racing, US F1 also relies on the CFD technology for the initial design of the car, although the team said they will eventually make use of the Windshear wind tunnel.

Team principal Ken Anderson has 30 years of experience in motorsport, over the years he designed and constructed many Indy 500 and IndyCar Series winning cars, was the technical director of the Ligier and Onyx Formula One teams, and also the technical director responsible for the design and construction of the Windshear Wind Tunnel, a 'rolling road' wind tunnel built in Concord, N.C. Anderson's organizational approach is to create a small, streamlined operation, with the ability to design, engineer, construct, produce and test a competitive Formula One car.

From Motorsport.com

[MG]

I have no doubt that the team has more technical resources than the average Rhode Island B&B, Autttooo. But it still seems a stretch to me to expect somebody to pony up 5 million smackers to sit behind the wheel of an untested, untried new car that very well may be contesting for the Dead Last But Finished Award at most races.......

[MG]

The internet buzz is that Jose Maria Lopez will be confirmed as one of the USF1 drivers on Monday.

Which means he was the first to come across with the cash, I guess.   

[Ultra]

I heard the Lopez buzz also. I hope they get Heidfeld into the other seat.

[mpatrizio]

Apparently Heidfeld signed with Mercedes as the third driver....  Or as the guy who gets to take Michael's spot when/if he remembers why he quit the first time.

As to USF1....   25% chance they make the grid. 

USF1: 25% chance
Campos: 3% chance
New-Old Toyota Remnant team: 72% chance

One of these three will be on the grid, and I bet the car formerly known as a Toyota will be competitive....  and with Ralfie driving it....   

[MG]

There are so many rumors swirling around the internet right now, I have decided to hold off posting about them until the cars are officially unveiled and the testing program gets underway. I guess we'll see who makes it to Bahrain sometime around mid-March!

Speaking of Bahrain, MP, I am designating you my official photographer for the event, MP. Be sure to pack your Kodak!