The demise of USF1 from Formula One even before they got a chance to make the 2010 grid is a microcosm of the level of interest - or lack thereof - Americans have for the sport. However, just because one team crashed and burned faster than we could say ’go’, doesn’t mean that we’ve seen the last of a US-based team in F1.
According to ESPN, a company named Cypher Group has been formed with the intention of picking up where USF1 left off, that is, fielding a team that can compete in Formula One in the near future. The new outfit has made it clear, however, that their success will hinge on whether they can find the necessary funding to make the F1 application a worthwhile endeavor. Considering that lack of funding doomed USF1’s hopes, we’re not exactly optimistic of Cypher Group’s chances, especially since its been reported that the team will pretty much pick up the scraps left by USF1, holding its headquarters in North Carolina - similar to USF1 - and employing most of the people the worked for, you guessed it, USF1.
The only thing different about Cypher Group - and we suppose this is a good thing - are the notable absence of both Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor, the two main proponents of USF1’s failed F1 attempt this year. Whether this new team has a chance to make the grid next year is anyone’s guess, but unless they get the proper funding, we’re really not holding our breaths.
Red Bull’s dominance in this year’s Formula One season has led to the unthinkable.
Rumors are circulating within the paddock of a rumored alliance among three bitter rivals with one goal in mind: catch up to Red Bull and knock them off of their pedestal.
According to Autocar via reports from Germany’s Bild-Zeitung newspaper, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes have all joined forces to exchange data on Red Bull in an effort to try and catch the front-runners from running away with the 2010 Driver’s and Constructor’s championships.
Whether this rumor has some legs on it or is merely a stretch for all three teams isn’t why we were all shocked when we found out about it. The mere insinuation that all three teams, especially Ferrari and McLaren, are forging an unholy alliance, is about as shocking a news as we’ve received in the Formula One season. Given the two teams’ acrimonious story, the notion that they’re now working together seems to be as likely as Max Mosley and Jean Todt sharing an afternoon of tea together.
It goes without saying that this rumor is one that we’re going to take a close look at it to see whether there’s some (shocking) truth to it. Trust us, it’s as big a rumor as any we’ve heard in quite a long time from the circus that is Formula One.
The US Grand Prix may finally return to the F1 calendar starting in 2012, but if tentative plans push through, the race might not be held in Indianapolis anymore.
Instead of the Brickyard, Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey has become the favored site to host the US Grand Prix from 2012 to 2016.
According to local reports that surfaced a few days ago, a city spokeswoman has confirmed that there have been preliminary discussions between city officials and their F1 counterparts regarding the possibility of Jersey City becoming the official site of the US GP.
The rumors began gaining steam after documents showing plans for a 3.6 mile track within the 1,200-acre park ended up on the Internet. Jersey City mayor Jeramiah Healy likewise issued a statement that while no plans have been made, Jersey City has nonetheless been approached by Formula One regarding the possibility of hosting future F1 races.
"Jersey City is one of several cities the (F1) are pursuing," the mayor was quoted as saying. "There have been a few, preliminary conversations and this is very much in the exploratory phase. However, this may not be something that is in the best interest of Jersey City or Liberty State Park," he added.
If rumors indeed have grains of truth in them, then the one involving the supposed participation of the Veritas RS III at FIA GT1 World Championships should have all of us jumping out of our seats in excitement.
The German company confirmed at the 2010 Top Marques Monaco that the preparation of a Veritas RS III coupe version is one of its objectives for the upcoming season. They are currently hard at work with building a fixed-roof GT1-spec version of the piranha-looking supercar and is looking at a mid-season entry into the world of GT1 sometime in July, when the racing series heads over to the Nurburgring in Germany.
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