Can Danica Patrick make it into F1 ?

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:02 pm

Julian mayo, I agree with you about whether Danica Patrick can make it into F1. While she continued developing her skills, her 'racecraft' in Barber Dodge and Toyota Atlantics from '02-'05, we forget that she began running open-wheel racecars in England in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford before that, finishing 2nd in the 2000 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, the highest finish for an American in that event,which caught the attention of many open-wheel legends, including the man whose IndyCar team she now races for, 1986 Indy 500 champion Bobby Rahal. Granted, she hasn't won an IRL-series event yet, but she's come awfully close at both Motegi and Indy(4th-place finishes each) and there are tracks over here that she should excel at(Michigan, Fontana, Kansas, and Infineon Raceway) based on past performance in Atlantics. Finally, she's got the marketabilty that it seems one needs in racing these days(i.e. the ability to bring in sponsors and fans) to go along w/her racing abilities. All-in-all, julian, as I've said in a couple forum topics over at Speedtv.com's message boards, she's got the chance to be a great driver, not just in the IndyCar series now, but conceiveably in Formula 1. If she plays her racing cards just right, she will be a world champion someday.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 2:12 pm

mlittle wrote:Julian mayo, I agree with you about whether Danica Patrick can make it into F1. While she continued developing her skills, her 'racecraft' in Barber Dodge and Toyota Atlantics from '02-'05, we forget that she began running open-wheel racecars in England in Formula Vauxhall and Formula Ford before that, finishing 2nd in the 2000 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, the highest finish for an American in that event,which caught the attention of many open-wheel legends, including the man whose IndyCar team she now races for, 1986 Indy 500 champion Bobby Rahal. Granted, she hasn't won an IRL-series event yet, but she's come awfully close at both Motegi and Indy(4th-place finishes each) and there are tracks over here that she should excel at(Michigan, Fontana, Kansas, and Infineon Raceway) based on past performance in Atlantics. Finally, she's got the marketabilty that it seems one needs in racing these days(i.e. the ability to bring in sponsors and fans) to go along w/her racing abilities. All-in-all, julian, as I've said in a couple forum topics over at Speedtv.com's message boards, she's got the chance to be a great driver, not just in the IndyCar series now, but conceiveably in Formula 1. If she plays her racing cards just right, she will be a world champion someday.

She also caught the eye of some astute european people with her FF performance., that performance is something that a lot of people as you say, have forgotten. I for one, would love to see any capable female sticking it to the F1 fellas. It doesn't hurt that Danica is easy on the eye, either, in terms of marketability etc. I would be quite happy to be her manager

<T-K> · Post by **<T-K>** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:30 am

Doubt it

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 8:06 am

<T-K> wrote:Doubt it

which of the salient points do you doubt?

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 2:49 pm

Yeah, <T-K>, which salient points do you doubt?

BTW, julian I forgot to mention that when Patrick finished 2nd at the 2000 FF Festival at Brands Hatch, she not only came to Rahal's attention, but to the attention of other dignitaries there such as F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, McLaren-Mercedes boss Ron Dennis and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. Sorry I didn't mention that in my posting on 13 June.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:21 pm

mlittle wrote:Yeah, <T-K>, which salient points do you doubt?

BTW, julian I forgot to mention that when Patrick finished 2nd at the 2000 FF Festival at Brands Hatch, she not only came to Rahal's attention, but to the attention of other dignitaries there such as F1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart, McLaren-Mercedes boss Ron Dennis and F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone. Sorry I didn't mention that in my posting on 13 June.

Tccchhhh!!! Apology accepted, ensure that it does not happen again

Bernie has been going around extolling her virtues, no doubt he can hear the publicity cash registers ringing. Ron is also interested, not just because he can hear the rustle of sponsors cheques. I have a feeling that minardi might be told who is driving for them 2006 or 2007. (deals within deals!)
Question, who beat her at the FF festival?

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 4:59 pm

Thanks, julian. For the record, the driver who won the 2000 FF Festival was Anthony Davidson, who currently is BAR-Honda's third/test driver.

Oh, in your response to my last posting, you mention Minardi as one of the teams that could(?) hire Patrick in 2006, or 2007. Based on all the news stories and bits of gossip at the major F1 news sites, including Speedtv.com, the team that is most likely to try signing her to an F1 contract is BAR-Honda. Why?
2 general reasons:1-There could be an opening at BAR-Honda next year, if one of their current drivers, Jenson Button, is 'forced' to move to BMW-Williams in 06', and 2-There is the possibility that Honda's overall racing program is 'pushing' both its' F1 division and its' US Indy program to get Patrick some seat time in Formula 1. Based on at least one news/sports story I've read in the past 24-48 hrs. Patrick has expressed more than a passing interest in going to F1 after this year. Whether it happens remains to be seen; in this day and age, one has to take whatever opportunities are available.

Graham Ross · Post by **Graham Ross** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:21 pm

I agree with mlittle

I don't think Danica will drive for Minardi first. She is a high profile driver and will jump into a competitive team from the start.

If there is that much interest then she will test soon. BAR is very logical as she is powered by a Honda.

If she does make it, I think F1 will become even more popular worldwide as well as in the USA

It'll be good for the sport

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 5:49 pm

mlittle wrote:Thanks, julian. For the record, the driver who won the 2000 FF Festival was Anthony Davidson, who currently is BAR-Honda's third/test driver.

Oh, in your response to my last posting, you mention Minardi as one of the teams that could(?) hire Patrick in 2006, or 2007. Based on all the news stories and bits of gossip at the major F1 news sites, including Speedtv.com, the team that is most likely to try signing her to an F1 contract is BAR-Honda. Why?
2 general reasons:1-There could be an opening at BAR-Honda next year, if one of their current drivers, Jenson Button, is 'forced' to move to BMW-Williams in 06', and 2-There is the possibility that Honda's overall racing program is 'pushing' both its' F1 division and its' US Indy program to get Patrick some seat time in Formula 1. Based on at least one news/sports story I've read in the past 24-48 hrs. Patrick has expressed more than a passing interest in going to F1 after this year. Whether it happens remains to be seen; in this day and age, one has to take whatever opportunities are available.

In both hands and run like hell

I would love to see it happen.
I believe that Button will be at Williams 06, thats why he has been slagging Mark, silly Kid, you should see the "hood" where Mark grew up
AND Mark, at this stage is at Williams in 06 (Frank only sacks 'em AFTER they win the title)
Honda would naturally love an American, with talent, or marketability, in one of their F1 seats, My nipponese relatives tell me that there is still a need to be accepted by the US ( until they own it, along with Australia, oops political statement

) Honda is one of the best " marketing" companies in Japan, I cannot see them passing up Danica! ( I personally love fiesty Oz girls of most proportions, G,day JV, gee you look so cute when you get those little red anger spots on your cheeks

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:43 pm

News just came in, Danica Patrik turn down the offer to drive the BAR-HONDA on friday as "demo ride".She thought it was a publicity stunt cos she was a woman

Sad for Honda

K-D · Post by **K-D** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:49 pm

Kapel wrote:News just came in, Danica Patrik turn down the offer to drive the BAR-HONDA on friday as "demo ride".She thought it was a publicity stunt cos she was a woman

Sad for Honda

Is she wrong??

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:56 pm

K-D wrote:
Kapel wrote:News just came in, Danica Patrik turn down the offer to drive the BAR-HONDA on friday as "demo ride".She thought it was a publicity stunt cos she was a woman

Sad for Honda
Is she wrong??

Not at all

but Honda's stunt to get free publicity in the American market was busted

K-D · Post by **K-D** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:01 pm

Kapel wrote:
K-D wrote:
Kapel wrote:News just came in, Danica Patrik turn down the offer to drive the BAR-HONDA on friday as "demo ride".She thought it was a publicity stunt cos she was a woman

Sad for Honda
Is she wrong??

Not at all but Honda's stunt to get free publicity in the American market was busted

Yes.

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 7:25 pm

I luuurve fiesty women. She is going up, up, up in my HO

mlittle · Post by **mlittle** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:27 am

I wouldn't read anything into Patrick turning down the demo ride w/BAR-Honda at Indy. Remember, she still has to honor any and all sponsor/team commitments first; thus, it didn't hurt nor help her in their eyes. These things happen. We forget that this was simply a multi-lap demonstration run, not a full-on testing session. Let's wait and see what happens before any of us pass judgment on Danica's potential future in Formula One.

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Can Danica Patrick make it into F1 ?

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