Full Throttle

Four of the American hopefuls that have been suggested as potential USF1 drivers when the new Formula One team makes its debut have revealed their thoughts on the matter. Not all of them are entirely convinced.

NASCAR stars A.J. Allmendinger and Kyle “Scourge of the Seven Seas” Busch both professed themselves open to the new venture, with the former seeking to clarify previous quotes suggesting he was not interested in racing the other side of the Pond.

“Something that I’ve learned in racing is that you never say no to anything,” the Red Bull-backed ace told Paddock Talk, whilst admitting that his main priority remains NASCAR. “You leave every option open that you can – I’m never going to shut the door on anything.”

Busch’s agent, meanwhile, added that the Joe Gibbs Racing star – who just days ago achieved a NASCAR first in triumphing in both the Nationwide Series and Truck Series at the same track and on the same weekend – would “certainly leave the door open” to try Formula 1 “at some point.”

However, despite having been similarly mentioned in connection with the Charlotte, North Carolina based project, IndyCar stars Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti were somewhat more lukewarm about the prospect, with open-wheeled competition’s first-ever female race-winner revealing that F1 isn’t No. ‘ on her list – whilst conceding in an interview with the Indianapolis Star that “conversation never killed anyone.”

“I’m very flattered to be thought of, for sure,” IndyCar’s poster girl added. “Formula 1 is a very competitive platform, but I don’t necessarily know why no-one ever spoke to me.

“It’s not like they contacted me and I gave them the ‘oh yeah, that sounds very interesting’. I never heard from anyone.”

“It would be risky because it’s such a new team,” mused Andretti, whose grandfather Mario – 1978 F1 World Champion – suggested the 21-year-old would be ideal for the grand prix grid. “That’s all I would say.”