The USGPE Thread

[SurfaceUnits]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/usf1_chop_580op.jpg

02.24.09

Welcome to USF1.com - welcome to your behind-the-scenes access to the newest and most ground-breaking team on the F1 block.

Join us as USF1 evolves from being just a name and a burning ambition into the first made-in-America F1 car since Dan Gurney's Eagle first flew from Santa Ana, California; share the selection process as we search for the next American F1 World Champion; enjoy the best of US technology as we stream on line the design and build process of the USF1 team and chassis. And, above all, give us your thoughts and ideas as the team begins to grow: because USF1 is for all of you out there who love F1, who love the idea of proving that American racing technology is on par to compete at the highest levels of the sport globally. And it is for those of you who, like us, just have a yearning to pit one human being against another in exotic pieces of machinery.

We hope you enjoy this still-young story - and we hope you will be with us for many years to come.

Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor


I guess it all began on the morning of Wed, Feb 4, when I awoke in my San Francisco hotel room – box, in reality, featuring a wall-to-wall bed – to find 35 emails on my BlackBerry.

http://www.usgpe.com/news/peters-blog-entry-for-feb-21


USF1 Exclusive: The pitch behind the American F1 team
by Damon Lavrinc (RSS feed) on Feb 4th 2009
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/04/usf1-exclusive-the-pitch-behind-the-american-f1-team/

Announcements

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-usf1-ready-to-roll/

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-q-a-peter-windsor/

http://formula-one.speedtv.com/article/f1-usf1-press-conference-video-highlights/

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Q & A with Peter Windsor

By Jonathan Noble Friday, April 10th 2009, 13:14 GMT

Formula 1 has always viewed the United States as a key market, and it's fair to say that interest in the sport in America has taken an upswing in light of the announcement earlier this year that Team USF1 is planning to compete from 2010.

With more than one month passed since USF1's plans went public, AUTOSPORT caught up with sporting director Peter Windsor to find out how the team was coming along.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74392


Formula One’s American Dream Team

On Thursday, Peter Windsor, a former Formula One team manager who is now a television presenter, and Ken Anderson, an American former Formula One technical director, filed an official entry to join the series next year.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.F.1. will also have a logistics base in Europe, probably in Spain or France, for storing and working on the cars between European races.

“ ‘Made in America’ is the essence of the U.S.F.1. mission,” the team says in its brochure. “From the design and construction of the race car to cultivating the next generation of American drivers with an eye toward returning the ‘Stars & Stripes’ to the F.1. podium, U.S.F.1. is committed to adding American spirit to the culture of F.1.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/sports/autoracing/23iht-SRUSF1.html


US F1 confirms 2010 entry submitted

by Jonathan Noble and Dieter Rencken Saturday, May 23rd 2009, 08:21 GMT

Ken Anderson and Peter WindsorTeam US F1 has become the second team to publicly confirm that it has lodged its entry for next year's world championship.

While the current teams continue discussions with the FIA about changing the regulations so they are happy to submit their own entries, US F1 has joined Campos Racing in committing itself to its 2010 plans.

Team principal Ken Anderson confirmed the plans when speaking to AUTOSPORT in the Monaco paddock. When asked if his team had lodged its entry, he said: "Yes we have. It's Team US F1."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75525

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USGPE looking at Cosworth engines
13 April 2009

The United States Grand Prix Engineering (USGPE) team, expected to be on the starting grid of next year's World Championship, is reportedly considering engine supply from Cosworth. The information was revealed by sporting director Peter Windsor who, with team principal Ken Anderson, has considered all engine manufacturers.

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/04/13/usgpe-looking-at-cosworth-engines/


First US F1 car to be ready in October

By Jonathan Noble and Dieter Rencken Wednesday, July 22nd 2009, 08:56 GMT

Team US F1 expects to have its new car ready by the end of October, as it ramps up its efforts to be on the Formula 1 grid next year.

Work at the team's Charlotte factory has been pressing on following confirmation of the squad's 2010 entry, and team principal Ken Anderson has revealed that the design of the new car is well advanced.

"Quite a lot of it is ready to manufacture," Anderson told AUTOSPORT. "The chassis is locked down, because we were waiting to hear if the [Cosworth] engine rev limit was 20,000rpm or 18,000rpm.

"The chaps will now start building the chassis in August. We will have it rolling on the ground in late September, without bodywork or stuff, and then the bodywork will get added in October."

Anderson has said that the confirmation of the team's 2010 entry has allowed it to push ahead with the ordering of machinery it needed, which in turn will mean a recruitment drive can now get underway.

"We were only approved a few weeks ago and it wasn't prudent to order $5 million of machines until we were there," he said. "We have about 20 staff at the moment, but we have got 20 or 30 starting in August. The thing is we need people to run machines, and there was no point having them until the machines are there."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77115



US F1 says working within timeframe

By Pablo Elizalde Friday, August 7th 2009, 10:50 GMT

Peter WindsorTeam US F1 boss Peter Windsor says the American squad is working well within its timeframe to be ready for the start of the 2010 season.

The team has been hard to work at its Charlotte factory since gaining an entry for next year's championship, and Windsor says his outfit has not lost any time.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77582

[SteveH]

Team US determined to use home talent

Would Marco be considered talent?

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=113559&st=0

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Team US determined to use home talent

The US-based Formula One team due to join the grid next season say they are determined to stick to their guns and use American drivers, despite being approached by experienced names from other countries with substantial financial backing.

"We've been offered well over three-quarters of our racing budget by two drivers already, neither of whom have raced in Formula One but both have won races in GP2," co-founder Peter Windsor told Sports Illustrated magazine.

"Both of them have massive sponsorship they can bring us from their home country. (Team co-founder) Ken (Anderson) and I have got to be very strong, look one another in the eye and say, 'No, we're not going to accept that money, we're not going to hire those guys because we're going to remain true to our convictions’.”

http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/8/9728.html

[SurfaceUnits]

Would Marco be considered talent?

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=113559&st=0

less than Danica

and not mentioned by the team

In terms of drivers, no deals have yet signed although Windsor is continuing to view American candidates for a seat. "We have a shortlist of guys that we are looking at," he explained. "There are some Americans doing quite well right now in single-seater racing from Ryan Hunter-Reay, Jonathan Summerton, Danica Patrick, Graham Rahal and A.J. Allmendinger; then the next generation looks really strong! You've got four guys there: Gaby Chavez who is winning a lot of BMW races right now, Alex Rossi who is American and was the World BMW champion last year, Conor Daly - the son of Derek Daly (who started 26 CART races) and Josef Newgarden who is winning in England right now."

although:

Wurz, de la Rosa in frame for US F1 seat

By Jonathan Noble Monday, August 10th 2009, 09:40 GMT

Pedro de la Rosa and Alexander Wurz have emerged as the leading contenders to race alongside an American rookie at the new Team US F1 next year, AUTOSPORT has learned.

Although the American-based outfit had considered running two American drivers for its debut campaign in 2010, the team believes it will be better placed slotting in an experienced racer to help its development phase.

It is understood that the team is already in talks with both de la Rosa and Wurz, whose vast experience of testing and racing would be of huge use to US F1.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/77606

[Easy]

Now that they are an accepted entry and have signed the new Concorde agreement they are once again known as, USF1.

[TedN]

Would Marco be considered talent?

http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=113559&st=0


I work at a Ferrari shop in Miami Beach, Florida, when at arround 8 pm, Marco Andretti comes in looking for a Felipe Massa shirt. After he paid for the shirt, I asked him when he was going to F1. He said, "pretty soon, perhaps next year." After he said that, I immediately ask him if USF1 was the team he was going for. He didn't say anything but gave me the biggest smile, and made a face like I knew what I was talking about. Finally I told him I was looking forward to see him in F1, and that I really wanted to see him there. He appreciated that comment, and left saying: "next year."
Source (http://http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=113559)

Ted

[chop456]

He was probably smiling because someone recognized him. :laugh:

[opinionated ow]

*pipedream*

[Sean Malone]

Source (http://http://forums.autosport.com/index.php?showtopic=113559)

Ted

Every driver I ever spoke to said they were either going to win the championship next year (no matter who they raced for) or they were looking at getting a seat in F1.

[Methanolandbrats]

The little splooge can't even drive an IRL car on a road course.

[pchall]

The little splooge can't even drive an IRL car on a road course.

If Windsor signs Marco and Danica to form a US super team we could call them Splooge and the Wet Spot.

[Sean Malone]

If Windsor signs Marco and Danica to form a US super team we could call them Splooge and the Wet Spot.

I loved that band in the early 90's.

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Best Buy to follow YouTube into USF1 sponsorship?

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Aug 9th 2009 at 4:46PM

Preparations are well underway for the debut of the new USF1 team, which is set to join the Formula One grid next season. The car's been designed, the manufacturing facility is in the process of ramping up for production, and the team has staffed up. But while the nascent squad focuses on building the chassis and infrastructure, speculation has been running rampant over who will sponsor the team and who will be driving its two cars.

Previous reports indicated that YouTube could be on board, and now the latest suggest that Best Buy, which currently sponsors Elliott Sadler's #19 Dodge Charger for the Richard Petty team in NASCAR's Sprint Cup series, could be in the mix as well. The rumors are fueled by an entry which Barry Judge, the electronics retail giant's chief marketing officer, posted on Twitter asking the public-at-tweet what they thought of the idea of Best Buy – currently is in the midst of a European expansion – linking up with the team.

[pchall]

I loved that band in the early 90's.

I once saw a cabaret duo called The Wet Spots in the Boston area, but that was early this decade. Not in the previous century. :p

[KLang]

The rumors are fueled by an entry which Barry Judge, the electronics retail giant's chief marketing officer, posted on Twitter asking the public-at-tweet what they thought of the idea

Wow, marketing people are actually making decisions based on twitter? :shakehead

[pchall]

Wow, marketing people are actually making decisions based on twitter? :shakehead

Almost every single marketing major that has wandered into my classroom looking to fulfill a requirement has been a complete *****ead capable of that. Same thing goes for finance majors. Fashion retailing majors just look in the mirror to be that stupid.

[Dvdb]

Not quite sure I would make a multi-million dollar executive decision based on twitter, but it does have a place. You get an idea what your followers/fans/customers are thinking without a two week lag

[cameraman]

You get an idea what your followers/fans/customers are thinking without a two week lag

Or the limited subset people whose life is so desperately sad that they are listening to tweets from the head of Best Buy's marketing department.:shakehead

[SurfaceUnits]

Or the limited subset people whose life is so desperately sad that they are listening to tweets from the head of Best Buy's marketing department.:shakehead

or the people who are so business savvy that decisions by youtube affect their income :eek:

[trish]

Krista Voda is sitting in for the windbag tonight and she'll be interviewing the team principles after the break.

[trish]

I wonder why Ken Anderson bothered to show up. Did he even answer a serious question? The youtube guy is up next after this break.

[Methanolandbrats]

Good show. Actually watchable without Gomer Dave.

Just tuned back in........who is the guy with the landing strip on his chin?

[grungex]

That was the most painfully dull interview I've ever sat through...

[SurfaceUnits]

one problem the team is having is the dearth of Americans with an F1 super license and finding anyone who could qualify to get one. Thanks to American open wheel racing.

[oddlycalm]

I wonder why Ken Anderson bothered to show up. Did he even answer a serious question? The youtube guy is up next after this break.
Ken Anderson has the one of the most flacid personalities I've ever seen on TV. They could have announced the investor in a two sentence press release and saved everyone the time.

oc

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Franck Montagny linked to 2010 USF1 berth

Franck Montagny is the latest name to be linked to one of the two available seats at new Formula 1 team USF1 in 2010 – but it seems that first the North Carolina-based operation will need to fight off the approaches of two IndyCar Series outfits equally keen to secure the Frenchman's services.

The 31-year-old fits the bill for USF1's brief of seeking an experienced hand to race alongside a young up-and-coming home-grown star, and some sources are reporting that a contract has already been signed with USF1 co-founder and former Williams and Ferrari team manager Peter Windsor.

The SPEED TV commentator is understood to have been impressed by Montagny's potential and set-up and development skills during his stints in the top flight as a test driver for both Renault (from 2003 to 2005) and Toyota (2007), and as a race driver for Super Aguri for 2006.

[SurfaceUnits]

On behalf of the USF1 Team we would like to congratulate everyone involved in F2000 in the United States. One of our goals is to take American drivers back into Formula One, and then to produce the next American F1 World Champion – and it is because of series like F2000 that we feel confident that we can do this.

We love the concept of the F2000 car: it has a great 2-litre engine, wings, slicks and “real” suspension; and we love the road courses featured on the F2000 calendar. As such, F2000 gives young drivers a tangible opportunity to learn about track-craft, set-up and preparation without the higher costs and neutralizing affects of big-brand, hi-tech spec formulae. Joel Miller, Patrick Barrett and JR Hildebrand are just three of the stars of tomorrow that F2000 has helped to nurture; no doubt there will be many more.

The USF1 Team is therefore delighted to announce that it endorses the F2000 championship as one of its official “feeder” series. For too long the path to F1 for young American drivers has been clouded by a lack of respect for single-seater racing and for those talented drivers who lack the financial wherewithal to take the expensive route to the top. Jeremy Shaw’s Team USA has done – and will continue to do – a fantastic job of encouraging new talent; we look forward now to working with both Team USA and F2000 towards the new frontier.

Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor
USF1 Team

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USF1 requests FOTA membership
01 September 2009

The new-for-2010 USF1 team has reportedly accepted an invitation to join the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) ahead of its first season in the sport. Like fellow F1 newcomers Campos Meta and Manor Motorsport, the Charlotte-based outfit has been offered the choice to be part of the group which currently represents eight of the ten teams on the grid.

Autosport learned on Tuesday that USF1 has applied for membership with FOTA and that senior members of the group will analyse the application at the Italian Grand Prix next weekend. A positive result for the squad headed by Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor would confirm that nine of next year's current twelve teams are part of the assemblage.

Formed last year, FOTA officially marked the first time all teams on the grid have come together in order to ensure a more sustainable future of the sport; Williams and Force India have since been suspended from meetings, however, following their decisions to put forward early entries to next season at the height of the FIA-FOTA budget cap war earlier in the year. The parties remain in discussions to bring an end the deferral ahead of the new season.

[opinionated ow]

On behalf of the USF1 Team we would like to congratulate everyone involved in F2000 in the United States. One of our goals is to take American drivers back into Formula One, and then to produce the next American F1 World Champion – and it is because of series like F2000 that we feel confident that we can do this.

We love the concept of the F2000 car: it has a great 2-litre engine, wings, slicks and “real” suspension; and we love the road courses featured on the F2000 calendar. As such, F2000 gives young drivers a tangible opportunity to learn about track-craft, set-up and preparation without the higher costs and neutralizing affects of big-brand, hi-tech spec formulae. Joel Miller, Patrick Barrett and JR Hildebrand are just three of the stars of tomorrow that F2000 has helped to nurture; no doubt there will be many more.

The USF1 Team is therefore delighted to announce that it endorses the F2000 championship as one of its official “feeder” series. For too long the path to F1 for young American drivers has been clouded by a lack of respect for single-seater racing and for those talented drivers who lack the financial wherewithal to take the expensive route to the top. Jeremy Shaw’s Team USA has done – and will continue to do – a fantastic job of encouraging new talent; we look forward now to working with both Team USA and F2000 towards the new frontier.

Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor
USF1 Team

I've been saying it for years...migrate Formula Atlantic to Formula 3 rules and it will again have relevance.

[pchall]

I've been saying it for years...migrate Formula Atlantic to Formula 3 rules and it will again have relevance.

I don't suppose it really matters any more, but Atlantic had its roots in SCCA Formula B (essentially the 1966 F2). It would be a shame to demote it to F3 instead of bringing it up to parity with the erstwhile GP2/new F2 class of formula cars.

[opinionated ow]

I don't suppose it really matters any more, but Atlantic had its roots in SCCA Formula B (essentially the 1966 F2). It would be a shame to demote it to F3 instead of bringing it up to parity with the erstwhile GP2/new F2 class of formula cars.

I reckon in a head to head with the current package...the F3 cars would come out on top anyway. It's purely academic, but a US F3 series would become a third major series and with extra competition, prices for a year should theoretically come down. Plus...F3 has the best openwheel racing of absolutely any category.

[miatanut]

I don't suppose it really matters any more, but Atlantic had its roots in SCCA Formula B (essentially the 1966 F2). It would be a shame to demote it to F3 instead of bringing it up to parity with the erstwhile GP2/new F2 class of formula cars.

Since F3 has some technical freedom, I would argue it's better than F2. It just doesn't have as much power.

[SurfaceUnits]

Interview with Peter on why this is the time for a US Formula 1 Team:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/search-results/m/26161514/u-s-team-to-compete-in-formula-1.htm


Hungry for Success - Exclusive Interview with Peter Windsor

http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/9/9875.html

[cameraman]

If Windsor wants a decent US driver he had better sponsor (or find sponsors for) a few GP2 seats for US drivers. Neither Rahal nor especially Andretti are good enough for F1.

Do something useful like putting John Edwards & Jonathan Summerton in GP2 next year.