USF1 is dead.

Post by **DemocalypseNow** » 02 Mar 2010, 19:40

R.I.H (Rest in Hell) USF1

It was only a matter of time...roll on Stefan GP!

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 02 Mar 2010, 19:47

kostas22 wrote:R.I.H (Rest in Hell) USF1

It was only a matter of time...roll on Stefan GP!

Did it surprise anyone? 'goblin? No? Thought so.

Interestingly, that Autosport article fans some of the StefanGP flames:

The failure of Team US F1 to make it onto the grid means that there is now a vacancy for the Serbian outfit Stefan Grand Prix, which has been sitting on the sidelines for several months.

US F1 will need to be officially withdrawn from the championship if Stefan GP is going to have a chance of getting a late entry - although such a situation may be possible if FIA technical delegate Charlie Whiting's inspection visit to the American team's factory last week showed that the outfit was not capable of competing.

It is also not clear what US F1 investor Chad Hurley will now do. The American YouTube co-founder, who had invested in the team, has been linked with potential deals with both Stefan GP and Campos Meta in recent weeks - and it is possible he may choose to remain in F1 through involvement with another team.

If Stefan indeed wanted to sell the intellectual property of the car for a profit, they won't like this; it was their chance of making a quick buck. If the FIA does give StefanGP a nod, we'll finally see how serious they are.

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 02 Mar 2010, 19:51

Not surprised in the least, anymore. Long live the Serbian successors.

WeirdKerr · Post by **WeirdKerr** » 02 Mar 2010, 19:55

oh well bon voyage or something....

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 02 Mar 2010, 20:02

It's weird how USF1 initially seemed to be a laughable effort, then for a period actuually seemed like the most serious of all the new team ideas being bandied about in 2009, and now they've collapsed in a terrible mess.

There's a book in this somewhere!

P_Friesacher · Post by **P_Friesacher** » 02 Mar 2010, 20:03

Paul Hayes wrote:There's a book in this somewhere!

Actually, it sounds like a trilogy.

Post by **mario** » 02 Mar 2010, 20:12

Much as we have mocked USF1, it is a shame in a way that they have collapsed. After all, this was potentially a way to market Formula 1 in the US, at a time when open wheeled competition is struggling (even though the Indy Racing League has finally won out over it's rivals, the fact remains that the split has damaged the reputation of open wheeled racing in the US, and the Indy Racing league has yet to recover). Surely, bringing in more US fans, and potentially US sponsors, at a time when both are sorely lacking, would have been beneficial to everyone.
Still, I would not crow about Stefan GP now being able to race - far from it. I still think that the FIA will be rather hostile towards somebody who has been so scornful (and unprofessional - the ranting and raving that Stefan GP did, before having to backtrack rather quickly, was childish and pointless) of them. Equally, whilst Coughlan is still part of Stefan GP, Ferrari are going to do everything they can to block Stefan GP, (as, most likely, would Mclaren - neither of those teams would want the Spygate affair to be brought back to the fore).

eytl · Post by **eytl** » 02 Mar 2010, 20:22

Wow - not even a vain attempt to re-enter in 2011.

I for one initially believed Peter Windsor's promises that the team would surely get off the ground. I'm not sure whether he has lost any respect in my mind. But over the last few weeks I think it's been bleedingly obvious even to the most optimistic observer that they weren't going to make it. I feel sorry for other bids (eg Prodrive, Epsilon Euskadi, Lola) that were overlooked for this doomed marketing exercise. I'm not even sure that it would have made that much of an impact in the US at all. I think the US market would have only cared if the team showed any signs of success - which doesn't include battling against Campos, Lotus and Virgin for 19th on the grid.

And I agree with mario re Stefan. You really have to question their professionalism - as much as, like Andrea Moda, the lack of professionalism actually makes for a great story, terrific reject fodder, and a team we could all love even if Jacques Villeneuve were driving for them - and would the FIA want to reward their sheer chutzpah in continuing to press forward (unlike the aforementioned Prodrive, Epsilon Euskadi etc) despite having no entry?

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 02 Mar 2010, 20:28

eytl wrote:And I agree with mario re Stefan. You really have to question their professionalism - as much as, like Andrea Moda, the lack of professionalism actually makes for a great story, terrific reject fodder, and a team we could all love even if Jacques Villeneuve were driving for them - and would the FIA want to reward their sheer chutzpah in continuing to press forward (unlike the aforementioned Prodrive, Epsilon Euskadi etc) despite having no entry?

We are sorry to report sense seems to prevail again in the F1Rejects forum. Tss tss tss - you disappoint us all, boss.

shinji · Post by **shinji** » 02 Mar 2010, 21:02

CarlosFerreira wrote:
eytl wrote:And I agree with mario re Stefan. You really have to question their professionalism - as much as, like Andrea Moda, the lack of professionalism actually makes for a great story, terrific reject fodder, and a team we could all love even if Jacques Villeneuve were driving for them - and would the FIA want to reward their sheer chutzpah in continuing to press forward (unlike the aforementioned Prodrive, Epsilon Euskadi etc) despite having no entry?

We are sorry to report sense seems to prevail again in the F1Rejects forum. Tss tss tss - you disappoint us all, boss.

You can't castigate him. You're on the same side.

Anyway, yes, the US fail at something. I bet if it was Canada GP they'd have won the Championship

thehemogoblin · Post by **thehemogoblin** » 02 Mar 2010, 21:11

shinji wrote:
CarlosFerreira wrote:
eytl wrote:And I agree with mario re Stefan. You really have to question their professionalism - as much as, like Andrea Moda, the lack of professionalism actually makes for a great story, terrific reject fodder, and a team we could all love even if Jacques Villeneuve were driving for them - and would the FIA want to reward their sheer chutzpah in continuing to press forward (unlike the aforementioned Prodrive, Epsilon Euskadi etc) despite having no entry?

We are sorry to report sense seems to prevail again in the F1Rejects forum. Tss tss tss - you disappoint us all, boss.

You can't castigate him. You're on the same side.

Anyway, yes, the US fail at something. I bet if it was Canada GP they'd have won the Championship

At least we have our complete independence.

CarlosFerreira · Post by **CarlosFerreira** » 02 Mar 2010, 21:12

thehemogoblin wrote:At least we have our complete independence.

To go around in circles, mate? :lol:

rffp · Post by **rffp** » 02 Mar 2010, 21:28

Well, I saw the end coming, at least I can say that. So many did too.

I also don't think the US would give a rat-arse about having a Formula 1 team made in USA. First, FIA/FOTA should concentrate on:
- Bringing the US GP back to the F-1 calendar;
- Promoting a US driver into F-1.

I don't think many Americans actually were aware that somewhere in Charlotte laid a F-1 team wannabe.

McDuck · Post by **McDuck** » 02 Mar 2010, 23:17

The US media and US sponsors would have cared about USF1 if Danica Patrick was one of their drivers. This is why Peter Windsor tried so hard to get her to commit to the project.

It's sad, but true.

Anywho, LMFAO @ U$Fail1!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111111

Renault in 2010 bi***es!!!!!!111

Genii Capital moFo$!!!!!!!11111111

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 02 Mar 2010, 23:34

GPUpdate is reporting the same thing. They're also saying that José Maria Lopez is requesting his money back and now wants to become Campos reserve driver (as if anyone even considered him for F1 before USF1 showed up).

I find this funny, really. When the team was announced, I thought they would bring all that American power, just suck on the first season and then fight for points. But as soon as they started hesitating about the drivers, I knew something was wrong. They were the first new team to show the intention of joining and the first to fall. These guys are epic fail incarnate. Not even worth of a podcast funeral.

I bet Paul Stoddart is laughing right now, since he was the first person to say it wouldn't work and that it was extremely hard to get sponsors for racing in the US.
I also bet Danica Patrick is proud of herself. Everyone was talking about her joining the team and she always said no. If she had been "Oh yeah, I'm very excited, count me in", she would be the laughing stock of the motorsport world right now. She made the right call.

Quick! Someone archive http://www.usgpe.com/index.html
And start saving money for when that nose shows up on eBay :lol:

Popi_Larrauri · Post by **Popi_Larrauri** » 02 Mar 2010, 23:53

Well. Everything seems over then. Anyway, I would just wait to hear last addressing words from Windsor. But the truth is evident to all of us at this rate. If the boss is unavailable, no matter if sources says they are running, crawling or just dead, the reality is they are dead.

Such a pity that, at this stage, every newcomer is about to give a shameful show. Lotus 5,5 secs out of the pace, Virgin unable to field a car properly and, anyway, 6 secs out of the pace; USF1 eating their words with a chocolate cover of bankruptcy all over it, Campos gradually becoming a phantom team and Stefan being no more that a general idea of how things can become even worse.

Budget cap may have daunted them, all bar USF1 that always stated that they never needed it, but the truth is that, at this stage, the whole idea of bringing them is falling into pieces.

P_Friesacher · Post by **P_Friesacher** » 02 Mar 2010, 23:59

Henrique wrote:They're also saying that José Maria Lopez is requesting his money back and now wants to become Campos reserve driver (as if anyone even considered him for F1 before USF1 showed up).

They are probably interested for the same reason USF1 were interested in him: His massive success in Argentinian touring car series.
And the tiny amount of sponsorship money he may be able to provide.

jackanderton · Post by **jackanderton** » 03 Mar 2010, 00:02

The thing is, if the new teams all came in at once, their lack of pace would be less visible if they were fighting among themselves near the back. USF1's failure just makes Lotus and Virgin bad, when in actuality they've done very well with their finite resources. I hope Campos, or whatever Campos turns into makes it, and I hope Stefan GP does too. They need to stick together really.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 03 Mar 2010, 00:06

Popi_Larrauri wrote:I would just wait to hear last addressing words from Windsor.

Don't hold your breath. He and his friend weren't even present when the factory staff was informed. If they can't talk to their own staff...

CasinoSquare · Post by **CasinoSquare** » 03 Mar 2010, 00:14

Popi_Larrauri wrote:Well. Everything seems over then. Anyway, I would just wait to hear last addressing words from Windsor. But the truth is evident to all of us at this rate. If the boss is unavailable, no matter if sources says they are running, crawling or just dead, the reality is they are dead.

Such a pity that, at this stage, every newcomer is about to give a shameful show. Lotus 5,5 secs out of the pace, Virgin unable to field a car properly and, anyway, 6 secs out of the pace; USF1 eating their words with a chocolate cover of bankruptcy all over it, Campos gradually becoming a phantom team and Stefan being no more that a general idea of how things can become even worse.

Budget cap may have daunted them, all bar USF1 that always stated that they never needed it, but the truth is that, at this stage, the whole idea of bringing them is falling into pieces.

I'm sad that an Argentinian driver has lost out and been essentially taken for a ride. Oscar L would never had let this happen!

...and i was hoping we'd get the Potrero de Los Funes on the map, still the best racetrack around.

Its a big 'ol mess even by reject standards. :-(

tristan1117 · Post by **tristan1117** » 03 Mar 2010, 00:24

Now USF1 doesn't even count as a reject team. Seriously though, the one team that could bring more F1 attention to the states and its the one that folds. The one team that could improve my viewing experience slightly, with the Youtube sponsorship folds. Of course.

Sullivangate · Post by **Sullivangate** » 03 Mar 2010, 03:00

ALL HAIL ZORAN

*American*

I mean seriously, with a site like this, who are we not to trust him?

http://www.stefangp.com/news009.html

Andrea Stefan F1 NAO.

Jordan · Post by **Jordan** » 03 Mar 2010, 03:40

Now they are saying they hope to be back in 2011. Then again the article I read made no mention of them wanting to be in F1 in 2011, just 'back'. Back...like they were somewhere to begin with

Post by **mario** » 03 Mar 2010, 08:36

Jordan wrote:Now they are saying they hope to be back in 2011. Then again the article I read made no mention of them wanting to be in F1 in 2011, just 'back'. Back...like they were somewhere to begin with

Someone is a bit over optimistic at what is left of USF1 - USF1 being able to field a car in 2011 is about as likely as Ron Dennis wanting to invite Max Mosely over for tea.

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 03 Mar 2010, 11:48

Now they're saying they just ordered the factory to stop working until there's a decision from the FIA, regarding the application to hold their entry until 2011.

jackanderton · Post by **jackanderton** » 03 Mar 2010, 11:59

Why don't they just stop saying anything (like they managed to do for about five months solid when they should've been working), and just disappear from our lives forever?

Henrique · Post by **Henrique** » 03 Mar 2010, 15:09

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/formula-1-news/229249/lopez-finally-released-from-us-f1-manager/

There. No drivers.

ADx_Wales · Post by **ADx_Wales** » 03 Mar 2010, 15:19

Peter Windsor said they would build their cars in a "S**t hits the fan" method. Or was it something else?

jackanderton · Post by **jackanderton** » 03 Mar 2010, 16:39

As opposed to his trademark ruthless clinical 'leave no stone unturned' method.

Mister Fungus · Post by **Mister Fungus** » 03 Mar 2010, 18:07

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/81826

Ha! It turns out the Miloš Pavlovi? rumour was true after all.

ADx_Wales · Post by **ADx_Wales** » 03 Mar 2010, 19:44

Thought I posted this question earlier:

Shouldnt USF1 be given some kind of punishment for bringing the sport into disrepute?

Post by **mario** » 03 Mar 2010, 20:57

ADx_Wales wrote:Thought I posted this question earlier:

Shouldnt USF1 be given some kind of punishment for bringing the sport into disrepute?

I would have thought that being kicked out of the 2010 championship was adequate punishment (since we now know that USF1 is no longer on the official entry list), since they probably now have a snowball's chance in hell of surviving until 2011 and having another go.

Paul Hayes · Post by **Paul Hayes** » 03 Mar 2010, 21:30

ADx_Wales wrote:Thought I posted this question earlier:

Shouldnt USF1 be given some kind of punishment for bringing the sport into disrepute?

You can't really punish something that no longer exists.

watka · Post by **watka** » 03 Mar 2010, 21:37

I'm sure Bernie will find a way to sue the ass off of Peter Windsor and/or Ken Anderson.

I'd imagine the only way the Americans would be interested in F1 would be if one of the existing Indycar teams entered (Chip Ganassi, Penske, Andretti). Then again given Danny Ongais' efforts in a rebranded Penske in F1, that may be a bad idea.

ADx_Wales · Post by **ADx_Wales** » 03 Mar 2010, 22:31

The only way you're going to get america into F1 is if Ferrari are allowed to run a secondary team in All-Yellow, called Daytona Ferrari F1 or something, and only have US drivers in the car.

That way, the two drivers who are known in the states will be run by a team known in the states.

But we all know THATS not going to happen, thanks Kolles for rendering the "customer"/"supply" team unethical, also Ferrari wouldn't want two unknowns driving their cars.

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 04 Mar 2010, 00:47

Oh, great. Now it'll be at least another 9001 years before ANYONE (well, anyone with money) in the USA starts having any interest in F1 again. Hopefully, young USAmerican drivers will start careers in Europe, and manage to get into F1 on their own, without support from their home country.

Also, I hope Chad Hurley will now back Stefan GP, so they can test this year and get in F1 in 2011.

Nessafox · Post by **Nessafox** » 04 Mar 2010, 03:20

ADx_Wales wrote:The only way you're going to get america into F1 is if Ferrari are allowed to run a secondary team in All-Yellow, called Daytona Ferrari F1 or something, and only have US drivers in the car.

That way, the two drivers who are known in the states will be run by a team known in the states.

But we all know THATS not going to happen, thanks Kolles for rendering the "customer"/"supply" team unethical, also Ferrari wouldn't want two unknowns driving their cars.

blasphemy! all yellow ferraris should belong to the écurie national belge

just like they did in the fifties in formula one!

Waris · Post by **Waris** » 04 Mar 2010, 03:59

This wrote:
ADx_Wales wrote:The only way you're going to get america into F1 is if Ferrari are allowed to run a secondary team in All-Yellow, called Daytona Ferrari F1 or something, and only have US drivers in the car.

That way, the two drivers who are known in the states will be run by a team known in the states.

But we all know THATS not going to happen, thanks Kolles for rendering the "customer"/"supply" team unethical, also Ferrari wouldn't want two unknowns driving their cars.

blasphemy! all yellow ferraris should belong to the écurie national belge just like they did in the fifties in formula one!

Yes, presumably with Bertrand Baguette and Bertrand Bailly as the drivers... or, wait, Éric Van de Poele still drives, doesn't he?

Nessafox · Post by **Nessafox** » 04 Mar 2010, 04:51

it's benjamin bailly, not bertrand, not all belgians are named bertrand

(for example eric van de poele, is called eric)

TeamTipper · Post by **TeamTipper** » 04 Mar 2010, 05:06

I have to agree with Mario about Stefan GP. But was the USF1 any better? In fact I think they would be even less of a Professinal F1 team. What i dont get is that the USF1 team announced this time last year planned to enter and said they had the money funding and everything ready. Lotus had alot less time and guess which team is ready?