De-Cypher this

Although not overly surprising, the second somewhat mysterious U.S. hopeful F1 Team has pulled the plug upon its lofty aspirations of becoming a Formula One Constructor, as the Cypher Group has withdrawn from the FIA’s “Lucky 13” Grid Slot Derby...

Thus it would appear the running for this dubious distinction now falls between Durango Corse and , Epsilon Euskadi, with No Fenders putting its 43 Pesos on the latter which is after all Joan Villadelprat’s Operation, who once was Professor Steve Matchett’s Boss at Benetton. Albeit Durango is dangling the ‘Jackoe (Jacques Villeneuve) carrot in front of Uncle Bernaughty, Err the FIA, while theoretically Stefan GP is still in the running...

Cypher gives up F1 entry quest – but when will the FIA make a decision?

Hey! Then again Cypher could always go into the IndyCar Body Aero Kit business, right?

Another US F1 Team?

From the ashes of the once mighty USF1 Team comes word of another Stateside Operation seeking inclusion into Uncle Bernaughty’s secret lair... Err, scratch that, its some largely unknown group mysteriously hiding under the banner of Cypher Group, reportedly composed of a mix of former Ken ‘N Peter charges, hoping to miraculously wrassle the coveted 13th Grid slot upon the 2011 Formula One entry list...

As ironically the Team thought to have the inside track, named ART Grand Prix, which is Co-Owned by Nicolas Todt, as in son of FIA President Jean Todt has just announced they’re no longer seeking inclusion due to you guessed-it! The Economy...

Meanwhile the Cypher Group has boldly announced that its already tied-up, Err signed its first driver, a one Mr. Jonathan Summerton, who Y’all may recall was also highly touted as a potential USF1 race driver by the House ‘O Windsor.

Meanwhile in his typical brilliant snarkeyness, Marc has posted the following rant: Top Five reasons you shouldn’t name your Team Cypher

USF1 is literally “Toast”

As I’d assume that this comes as NO surprise to Y’all, but according to reports the stillborn USF1 Team project is now officially D.O.A. as the Charlotte facilities remaining items went up for Auction at 9:30AM Thursday morning, with some of the more “unique” items being up for grabs were a Dan Gurney and Mario Andretti painting, an unused bottle of Dom Perignon champagne and a barbeque... As Decklen will be remiss to notice that there were ZERO Toasters up for grabs and the Breadstick making Ovens (Autoclaves) apparently had already been acquired?

Yet I enjoyed one sublime suggestion that perhaps Stefan GP would be one of the Auction’s potential bidders; Hya!

Doing the F1 Team Samba

Three New Formula 1 Teams in, Take one down, pass ‘em around… Two New F1 Formula 1 Teams in…

So late yesterday the FIA finally published its updated 2010 F1 Entry list and GASP! There was NO mention of USF1, whale that’s not exactly true, as the FIA denoted that Pete & Ken had asked for special deferment of their 2010 entry until 2011, albeit USF1 will not be competing this season… While multiple reports claim that on Tuesday the remaining employees were told to pack up and go home as they’re now on Unpaid Leave, as sadly it seems this is probably the end of the road for the USF1 Team, as it would seem hard pressed for them to be given a second chance in 2011, but who knows?

Meanwhile the New & Improved F1 Entry list also made NO mention of the upstart Serbian Stefan GP Team, although Uncle Bernaughty is pushing hard for their inclusion, albeit time is running out as the Big ‘Ol (747) Jetliner’s depart from Heathrow and Milan on Friday, so tick, tock, eh? And the FIA says it’s too late for last minute entries to be added at such short notice and its 2011 selection process will be announced shortly.

Next up is the newly rebadged Hispano-Suiza, Err Campos Meta 1 Team, who applied for the name change of Hispania Racing Team (not hysteria) which the FIA rejected… And instead will now be known as HRT, which seems quite puzzling to me, especially since it’s known that the Holden Racing Team, and NOT Hormone Replacement Therapy As James Allen wryly penned has been flying the HRT banner for some 20yrs now, so go figure? Wonder if GM will have anything to say about this?

Yet it was nice to see Bruno Senna’s name listed on the entry list, while not surprisingly Karun Chandhok is set to be confirmed as the HRT’s second driver today when the Team is scheduled to hold a press conference in southern Spain.

With USF1’s exclusion for the 2010 season, the revitalized Sauber effort has now inherited the American squad’s car numbers 22 & 23, previously having held the No’s 26-27. So will the number 22 be as lucky for Pedro De la Rosa as it’s been for the past two year’s holders Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, who both drove it to their respective World Championships… Although I still don’t get the logic in continuing on with the name of BMW Sauber F1 Team, as in BMW ran away from F1...

Final 2010 F1 Entry list

Time running out on USF1?

Unfortunately it seems that time; money & faith are running out upon the beleaguered USF1 Team, as speculation continues to rampantly swirl over the upstart American Formula 1 Team’s impending demise…

With wild speculation covering all ranges of the map, from Chad Hurley having left the building to trying to do a deal with rivals Campos Meta and Zoran Stefanović to merge the two Operations, to Ken ‘N Pete blocking his attempts… As Stefanović now has put out another barb publicly about Dreamers at USF1 and how somebody should be in a big trouble if there’s an empty spot upon this year’s Formula 1 Grid… Can you say FIA? (OOPS! Sorry FIA, we really didn’t mean that, as Stefan GP has now posted a supposed apology…)

Meanwhile Stefan GP has also publicly stated how its bulk container has arrived in Bahrain, even giving out the DHL packaging tracking slip details and claims its ready to debut its Ahem! Completed racecar… Although claims suggest that only ONE chassis has been completed, with requisite spares desperately sparse, as there’s a bit of reluctance to press ahead without an Official entry…

And this is also the same outfit that needed to cancel its planned Test session at Portimao due to the fact that the Team has NO proper Bridgestone rubber!

Meanwhile we’re all awaiting to see what Jean Todt ‘N the FIA do over USF1’s entry now that its Technical Delegate Charlie whiting has been to Charlotte to view first hand exactly what is going on there… As in can they really build a racecar in time for Barcelona or are they simply too busy making Toasters instead?

And while USF1 has NO Driver’s to go along with its missing Type 1 Racecar’s, Stefan GP is supposedly poised to announce Jacques Villeneuve as Kazuki Nakajima’s teammate aboard their Shiny red S01’s propelled by rebadged Toyota ‘lumps… Now if somebody could just convince Bridgestone to give them a couple ‘O sets of tyres, eh? Hmm? Why does that remind me of another upstart F1 Team named Toleman and Pirelli?

Meanwhile last night on The Speed Report (TSR) Bob Varsha noted that USF1 has now asked the FIA for deferral of its 2010 F1 entry until the 2011 season and that Ken Anderson and Chad Hurley are willing to back that up with a 7-figure bond, while I certainly hope I’m NOT reading too much into this… But Varsha failed to mention his friend Peter Windsor’s name, while Dave Despain mused cryptic thoughts about how The House ‘O Windsor may not even be involved anymore? Or is this just more media mastery crafted by USF1’s Sporting Director?

So it appears to be crunch time as the F1 Circus will shortly be packing its Bags, not to mention 40’ Containers along with those all important racecar’s for shipping to Bahrain, as will it be 11, 12 or 13 Formula 1 Constructors taking part in the seasons opening Grand Prix?

Paging Peter Windsor, Paging Peter Windsor!

Paging Peter Windsor - Paging Peter Windsor…

Mr. Pete Windsor the Formula 1 Circus is waiting for you… Please pick up a white courtesy phone and dial your party’s extension… There’s a Mr. Tomaso for you on line-4 and an Uncle Bernaughty for you on line-1!

Once again Paging Mr. Pete Windsor, please pick-up the nearest white courtesy phone and dial your awaiting parties extensions...

FOUR!

As I’ve been somewhat loathe to scribble about this, having first seen news towards the immanent demise of the House ‘O Windsor’s All Americana Formula 1 Team, better known as USF1 late Wednesday evening… When it was first reported that a tearful Mr. Windsor told Jose Maria Lopez that USF1 was on life support and would most likely not make the F1 Grid this season…

And while the stories continue to grow from numerous sources who I perceive as reputable, nevertheless I’ve been sitting on the story while holding out on hope of all hopes that this isn’t true, even trying to contact the Team with no success.

Rumours continue to swirl over the impending demise of USF1, claiming that the Team’s major financial backer Chad Hurley, of Youtube fame has left the project in disgust, along with Lopez having gone off to London to talk to no less then Bernard Ecclestone about resurrecting his hoped for Grand Prix career, potentially landing at the reconstituted Campos Meta 1 Team now instead?

This along with reports that the Squad’s Charlotte HQ building is up for sale, the Team has NO completed racecar and has cancelled mandatory FIA crash testing in England, all seem to imply that its increasingly likely that the Team will indeed NOT be on the grid in Bahrain in just 3-weeks time, while Stefan GP waits in the wings, now with whispers that some Kuh-Nuck named Jacques Villeneuve could be in the frame?

Here’s the story that triggered the Firestorm of reporting that USF1’s Dreams of making it in F1 will be stillborn…

Sponsorship Woes Threaten Future of U.S. Formula 1 Team

Yet apparently in full Damage Control mode, reportedly either very late last night or early this morning, Ken Anderson finally broke the deafening silence concerning the matter… As apparently in an article published in the New York Times, which must be buried rather well, since I cannot locate it! Ken publicly revealed that indeed USF1 will NOT be on the grid at the Formula One’s season opening round in Bahrain.

Anderson says USF1 to miss Bahrain, team’s future in hands of FIA

Yet Anderson’s claims that the Team wishes to miss the first four races and that its fate is simply in the hands of the FIA, doesn’t bode well for the Team, since I don’t see how the WMSC can open itself up to such a can of worms, having just clarified that ALL Teams MUST compete in ALL Grand Prix’s or face immanent sanctions, or even total exclusion…

Management shake-up at Campos

As we come into the home stretch of preparations prior to this years season opening Formula 1 race in the Desert Sands of Bahrain, just a scant 22 Days prior to the very first Grand Prix, yesterday it was announced that Campos Meta 1, which has yet to appear in any Pre-season testing, and was one of Uncle Bernaughty’s two picks to not make the Grid in 2010…

Announced that a “Rescue” package has been put into place, seeing Co-owner Jose Ramon Carabante take over Controlling interest in the Team and having inserted Dr. Colin Kolles as its new Team Principle, while Adrian Campos and Daniele Audetto have left the Team…

You may recall that Kolles was previously in-charge at the never ending revolving door of Formula One Constructors Jordan-Midland-Spyker-Force India, before finally getting the heave-ho late in 2008 from Dr. Vijay Malia, yet Kolles has convinced Carabante that he’s the right man for the job of saving the sinking Campos Meta 1 ship and has promised that two Dallara built, Cosworth powered F1 racecar’s will indeed be on the starting grid of Bahrain in just three weeks time.

And I also believe that it was the same Messer Kolles who performed an emergency root Canal upon Tiago Monteiro during a Grand Prix weekend!, reportedly the 2005 Turkish GP, with Kolles also having operated on Monteiro’s teammate Christijan Albers subsequently.

Also noted racecar designer Geoff Willis who was spotted at a previous Jerez test session has been hired as a consultant to oversee the technical development of the chassis, while no word on Driver’s has emerged at this moment.

Bruno Senna does have a contract with Campos, but was not mentioned in Friday’s statement, with Kolles citing the inevitable need for Paying Drivers… While reputedly USF1’s lone signed Driver Jose Maria Lopez could be in the frame, along with his millions of backing from the Argentine Government.

No word on what the Team will potentially be renamed as in the near future, with the chassis being maintained from Dallara’s Italian base for the time being, while new state of the art premises are expected to be completed in Spain sometime later this year…

RUMOUR: Campos leaving F1, USF1 next on block?

It’s always somewhat entertaining when you read your story somewhere else on le internets after you’ve scribbled it… Which is exactly what happened after I speculated over Bruno Senna’s current plight as a Gran Primo Piloto…

As there are now rumours percolating that Adrian Campos has been forced to leave his floundering Formula 1 Team, with none other then Uncle Bernaughty scooping in along with Co-Owner Jose Ramon Carabante to takeover the Spaniard’s outfit, even going so boldly to predict it’ll become Volkswagen in 2011. Hmm? So long to those thoughts of VW in Open Wheel Racing stateside, eh? Although it would seem more logical for VolkswagenAG’s SEAT subsidiary on the Spanish Racecar’s flanks, while this would be great news for Senna, who the squad claims will honour his current contract.

The rub is now that the rogue Serbian Stefan GP outfit that reputedly Emperor Bernardo has his greasy mitts on will need to target admittance to this year’s fast approaching Formula 1 season by acquiring the American outfits grid slot; Aye Karumba! As perhaps this is part of the hold-up over Adrian Vales announcement, eh?

And by the way I forgot to mention The Glen’s, as in Watkins Glen CEO pinin’ for Bob Varsha’s Mate to come ‘N test his Racecar for “FREE!” Anytime at the fabulous road course during SPEED’s Rolex 24 coverage, although Barber Motorsports Park is supposedly the preferred venue…

RUMOUR: Senna to join USF1?

As the header of my newest category states… this is just some wild ‘ARSE rumour-mongerin’ by your Fearless No Fenders Scribe, as Grizzled ‘Journo Joe Saward likes to call those of us in the Bloggaratzi “Cut ‘N Paste” ‘Vurd Botcherer’s! Thus I can only react to the current speculation running ‘rife on le internets… (Hey! Its gotta be right if it’s on duh internets, eh?) Over Campos Meta 1’s impending demise? With wild talk of new Formula 1 Constructors being allowed to miss a maximum of 3-Races before having their FIA Dance card punched… As reputedly Dallara has pulled up stakes with Campos Meta and has allegedly signed a deal with the upstart Stefan GP? With further rumours claiming that Michael’s famous brother ‘Ralfanzo could also return to F1? Which would mean that potentially Campos Bruno Senna could be left out in the cold again? Since if this happened he’d either need to take a much unheralded Testing role, since Kazuki Nakajima’s name is being touted as ‘Juan of Stefan GP’s Drivers. Or perhaps jump ship to the only remaining seat at you guessed it! Pete windsor’s All Americana US F1 Team. Then again I’m just guessing’ here, as now I’ve run upon speculation that some Spaniard named Adrian Valles will get the seat instead. Meanwhile Adrian Campos broke his silence by telling the BBC that people are saying stupid things about his Teams shortcomings, and he hopes to have more to say on Monday…

USF1 new Chassis revealed

Recently the fine Folks at Racecar Engineering, a very technical ‘Rag I used to subscribe to a long-long-long time ago... Popped into the Ultra-secret lair of Pete Winsors Charlotte hangout known as the USF1 HQ to grab an exclusive sneak peak at its impending 2010 Type 1 Chassis which you can check here for (possibly) more info…

Racecar Engineering visits the USF1 Team

And while hunting for those rather esoteric pics of the vaunted type 1, hey! You don’t really think they’re gonna give the whole thing away before their big launch party – Do Yuhs? I went to the Team’s Official website which I notice has been totally updated and actually looks quite a bit better… Click here.

Charlotte: We’ve got a Driver!

After letting Mercedes GP bask in the limelight of its New Team racecar unveiling in Stuttgart, USF1 Team apparently decided to continue on its understated tone by merely announcing the confirmation of its first Paid Driver; 26yr old Argentinean José Maria Lopez late Monday afternoon…

Jose Maria Lopez confirmed at USF1 - Peter Winsor insists He’s good enough

Will USF1 Team make the Grid?

This past Sunday the Speed Freaks busted loose upon the US F1 Team’s woeful state of affairs, even going so far as to call it S.U. F1 Team; YOUCH! As Kenny Sergeant went off on how can they be called an U.S. Team if they’ve got a Foreign Owner and Foreign Drivers, along with a Foreign Base of Operations…

While the Stat Mann chimed in with the comments of how they’ve already missed 1 practice session (Dec. 1-3, 2009 Young Drivers Test; Jerez, Spain) along with having a British Owner and being a British Team...

And Crash said I don’t get it, as we’ve got plenty of Young Americans; like Conor Daly, Josef Newgarden and John Edwards to name a few.

As the Freaks made light of the fact that USF1 was gonna give it a Whirl at the ‘Barber’s, Err Barber Motorsports Park sometime in February – as I’ll admit: USF1 has done little to impress any of us to date, as The Sarge noted that his 1954 house’s bathroom has more High Technology gadgets in it then revealed upon Professor Steve Matchett’s exclusive ‘Walkabout on his RPM finale.

So let’s take a look at the facts, shall we? As in the FIA has given USF1 special dispensation to test Stateside before flying Across the Pond to join the rest of the F1 Circus, which makes sense to me, especially if the chassis is behind completion.

But to be fair NONE of the current thirteen Constructor’s cars have broken cover to date, with their respective Challengers turning wheels for the first time on Feb 1-3 at Valencia; while let’s NOT overlook the fact that there was something known as the FOTA-MAD MAX Mosley War occurring this summer, as we didn’t even know if there would be a series this year or not, which undoubtedly cut sizably into the New Teams design times.

Yet nobody seems to be making a stink over the fact that Virgin Racing will debut at Silverstone, with no word on Campos Meta, while Lotus’s new car won’t be unveiled until February 12th in London, before shakedown testing at Silverstone.

And we know the USF1 Team’s HQ, Design Office and Factory is based in the ex-Hall of Fame RASSCAR Shop down south in Charlotte, NC, while its European base of operations will be housed at Motorland Aragon Park in Alcañiz, Spain, which makes sense, especially with half of the racing season taking place in Europe, not to mention the two Spanish rounds.

Regarding the Squad’s missing of the December Young Driver’s Test; NONE of the four New Teams took part in this, as it was basically an excuse for the current Constructors to receive a little more test time, albeit in their 2009``racecar’s, which Team’s then simulated the increased Fuel loads required for 2010.

And while I agree its disappointing that most likely NO American Driver’s will be behind the keyboards in 2010, which was a large premise of the Team’s philosophy, it seems fairly understandable in Today’s economy, I mean HELL! Even Ryan Hunter-Reay, IZOD’s Poster boy can net a Fulltime drive in the Indy Car Series!

American Idols: F1 Style

Crash pointed out a few Up “n Comers, having left out J.R. Hildebrand, Alexander Rossi and US F1 Team “golden Boy” Jonathan Summerton; while there was NO mention of the fact that reputedly another of the New Teams Campos Meta 1 is having huge difficulties in wooing any Spanish Backers after having inked the legendary name of Senna as part of its Driver line-up, albeit being Ayrton’s nephew Bruno.

Nor the fact that Pedro De la Rosa, like other notable talent is being forced to bring suitcases ‘O Moohlah in order to secure a Formula One ride, as Nick Heidfeld and others scurry to find any available Dinero in order to gain one of the few remaining seats in F1.

But the Team does have Bernie Ferguson onboard as its Cosworth liaison, which should give the team a lift, since he previously worked for Kevin Kalkoven & Jerry Forsythe’s Company, nee Cosworth Engineering…

Yet I’ll admit that USF1’s website is less then stellar, with the House ‘O Windsor providing comedic relief with his vaunted Driver lists, but hey Kenny, the last time I checked, Ken Anderson is a U.S. Citizen, and they do have Chad Hurley’s checkbook to drain, so I think its gonna be alright…

Although I do indeed hope they carry their banner high and don’t flop, since they are after all representing the Stars ‘N Stripes I suppose. But let’s wait ‘N see what really happens, eh? As I wouldn’t find it overly surprising to see Jonathan Summerton named as Test/Reserve Driver while contesting the 2010 F2 Championship in preparations for a future seat fitting…

John Anderson joins USF1

According to Open Wheel Racing Soothsayer Robin Miller, De Ferran Motorsports loss is to be US F1 Team’s gain, as 64yr old ‘Aussie John Anderson has been hired as Team Manager for the vaunted U.S. based Formula 1 outfit, which will potentially roll out its 2010 Challenger before Valentines Day, while Anderson’s name should be of little surprise to Y’all. After all he has won the Indy 500 with Dan Wheldon & Dario Franchitti before being enticed to go run Gil De Ferran’s Acura ALMS project…

WindsorSpeak: USF1 going to the Barber

Otay this is a little bit late, especially since THE ‘DAWG has stole my thunder once again. Hmm? Perhaps I’ve been too busy laughing while watching that edgy video he included in his Pete Windsor piece that I swear looks a whole lot like something outta Animal House, but I digress…

Thus, as pressdog has dually noted, the House ‘O Windsor has once again cranked up his Dry Ice machine and chortled Smoke On! By proclaiming that not only will USF1 have a racecar this year, they’ll publicly debut it by touring Jeffie of My Name is IRL’s most favourite new Indy Car haunt: Barber Motorsports Park, (BMR) Y’all know down in Sweet Home Alabama…

USF1 Car to Debut at Barber in February

Of course this isn’t without the usual WindsorSpeak Spin: YAWN! As ‘Pete has gotten ahead of himself by announcing the Team’s intentions on no less than Formula 1.com, the Official Formula One website; prior to all of the ink drying upon the various contracts… Not to mention we’re still waitin’ to hear who the Drivers will be? But in Pete’s defense, notice that he says that it was the FIA who nominated the Barber venue, not to be cornfused with Barber’s chair, eh?

Alabama debut for US team’s first car

So don’t fret too much, as it’s gonna be alright! As yes-sir-ree Ray, Jay, Al, you can call me Bob… As Messer Pete claims that any day now, there’ll be a RALLY-RALLY-RALLY-BIG Announcement on just whom indeedie is gonna be their Drivers; can you say Lopez ‘N Rossiter?

But I do think that indeed there will really be a USF1 Team on the grid at Bahrain, even if in namesake only, while I’m looking forward to Declen eating his whale sautéed Koala Hat this spring!

Windsor joins Blogger Brigade

According to THE ‘DAWG, Y’all know the zany Blogger from the state of that ‘utter white meat… Pressdog; who’s noted that the House ‘O Windsor, a.k.a. Peter Windsor, or in some circles now known as Pete Windsor… The vaunted Sporting Director of that ‘lil Formula 1 squad now under the guise of US F1 Team, has joined the realm of the Blogosphere with his first two entries on the newly launched USF1 website… Yeah they’ve finally put some content on the site, which you can puruse at: http://www.usgpe.com/
So check it out, if so inclined… And let us know what you think of Pete’s new Endeavour; you know – scribblin’ stories when he’s not too busy hawkin’ toasters… Now all they need to do is clear up what their name really is, eh? Team USF1, USgpe or US F1 Team?

USF1 submits entry fee

Don’t know if Y’all caught newly elected FIA Vice President Nick Craw, leader of ACCUS in America on Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain last Sunday night… But Craw was quick to point out that Team USF1 had sent in its entry fee for the 2010 F1 World Championship some 10 days ago, and the sum was nearly $440k, as back in the Old Dazes a team wasn’t counted as an entry until its NON-Refundable cheque had been deposited!

Craw who’s also made visits to Ken & Peter’s lair in Charlotte, NC is quite certain that everything’s in order and that he expects the team to be on the grid in 2010…

Team USF1 Update

While the cynics still seem to doubt the arrival of USF1 in 2010, nevertheless the silvered tongued House ‘O Windsor (Peter) made his very last Grid Walk for current employer SPEED TV during the inaugural Abu Dabi GP…

And the team has hired long time F1 veteran David Stubbs to be the Manager of its newly announced European Operations base at MotorLand Aragon, a most impressive facility located in Alcaniz, Spain, featuring multiple test tracks, including a Formula 1 spec circuit designed by FIA circuit Architect Herman Tilke.

Interestingly, Stubbs began his Grand Prix career at Williams having joined from the British Atomic Research facility alongside another recruit by the name of Ross Brawn, way back in 1978, starting work as a “gopher.” Stubbs then steadily moved up the ladder and was Williams Team Manager during the late 1980’s, notably during the Mansell-Piquet Honda era before moving onto Brabham, Paul Stewart Racing, Stewart Grand Prix and Jaguar…

Meanwhile it has become clearly obvious to me that Ken & Peter will NOT have an American Driver in 2010 as somewhere I heard/read that none of the current names being dropped by Peter qualify for the mandatory FIA Super license one needs to race in Formula 1; although Princess does meet the licensing requirements Y’all know she’s way too busy preparing to what many on the Blogosphere are denoting as CABS!

While Ryan Hunter-Reay would have been hard pressed to be granted said Super License, since he doesn’t meet the current requirements, I doubt he’s going anywhere besides Mikey Andretti Racing now that his personal sponsor IZOD has become the Indy Car Series title sponsor, eh?

Meanwhile a certain Aussi guest scribe at My Name is IRL has been giving us his jaundiced view towards Team USF1 in his Hillarious behind the scenes USF1 HQ videos…

A Day at the USF1 Office

Day 2 at USF1 HQ
Day 3 at USF1 HQ

Now I’d better shut down Ye ‘Ol Confuser since the Stefny Cleaning Agency is due any moment…

Talking the USF1 talk

It’s kind of sad that it takes the dubious nay saying of one Emperor Bernardo’s casting doubts over the Singapore Grand Prix weekend regarding the health of new Formula 1 team’s to cause a rash of reactive PR Speak from one of the most “Hyped” F1 newcomers for 2010…

As instantly after Uncle Bernaughty said that the USF1 team seemed doubtful to appear next March, the House of Windsor flooded the internets and Newswires with reports of the teams progress to date with exclusive interviews with Team Principal Ken Anderson…

Latest USF1 fodder

Interestingly, although Team USF1 has recently hired Bernard Ferguson (ex-Cosworth employee) to oversee the liaison of their Cosworth engine supply, rumours suggest that perhaps Ken & Peter are now trying to break their contract in favour of a French or Japanese manufacturer’s preference instead?

Can you say Oh What a Feeling (Toyota)

While further reports claim that potential driver Alex Wurz has given up hopes on landing a ride next year with the team.

But the team is reportedly on track with parts being cut as we speak, to which Peter Windsor cleverly invited Steve Matchett to go check out “live on Air” during the Friday second Free Practice session on SPEED; to which Matchett immediately jumped on along with stating we should take a camera along too, eh?

As ironically I sat thru several airings of Peter Windsor promoting a free trip to the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix via a contest at GP Tours during the Brazilian F1 race, which would imply the team will indeed make the grid… Of which I hope so for several people’s sake including GP Tours...

Meanwhile Nate Ryan wrote an interesting article for USA Today with further teases about the progression of Team USF1 recently; even divulging that some of the team’s staff is from RASSCAR!

Start-up team seeks Formula One title made in USA

Also, it was revealed during the Brazilian GP weekend that Matchett did indeed go around the corner from the SPEED studio’s in Charlotte, NC with camera crew in tow and supposedly his very last RPM (Racing Per Matchett) episode of the season, to be aired during the Abu Dubai Pre-race segment will be this footage, so check it out!

And I’m guessing some of the negativity will dissipate once the team unveils its new 2010 Challenger sometime after the Season Finale… Now all we need is a trio of drivers, eh?

Latest USF1 fodder

Whale that’s interesting… As I’d grown tired of the blank white pages that greeted you on both of Team USF1’s websites, usf1/usgpe.com) which have now been changed to boldly claim “America’s Formula One Team… Coming in 2010!”

As I also noticed yesterday that veteran F1 reporter Joe Saward had a brief interview with Team Principal Ken Anderson, claiming that the team’s still on track and a car should be completed by early November, in time for January 2010’s “Winter Olympics,” nee Off Season Testing.

USF1: Interview with Ken Anderson and pictures

Meanwhile that proverbial soothsayer ‘O words Peter Windsor, has now apparently told Autosport that the team may be “forced” to take on an experienced “Non-American” driver for its first season... Uh-Duh, I think this has been in the “cards” for awhile, but hey as long as we get another American into Formula 1 eventually is all that matters… Although I still think the team is remiss to not give the young “Wicky” (Robert Wickens) a shot, since after all he’s from the same Continent, eh?

Then again, can you say The Hamburgular? (Bourdais)

American driver unlikely for US F1

When Seven really equals Two

So it’ll be interesting to see how the Scuderia juggles its driver’s line-up next year, as they reportedly have seven F1 Piloto’s on retainer, as SPEED’s Bob Varsha mentioned during the Monza Pre-race glitteratzi, that the TERMINATOR, nee Michael Schumacher had just inked a new 3yr “Personal Services” contract with Maranello.

This is on top of current race drivers Kimi Raikkonen, Giancarlo Fisichella, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso, not to mention testers Luca Badoer and Marc Gene all reportedly being under contract to Ferrari, which Peter Winsor re-stated during this past weekend’s Singapore GP.

Or as Varsha said somewhat sarcastically during the Monza weekend; “At the rate we’re going, Ferrari will have all the drivers and Cosworth all the engines.”

So yesterday, Ferrari confirmed one of the year’s worst kept secrets by officially announcing the inking of “Fredrico Suave” to a three year contract beginning in 2010 and the REAL “Iceman,” nee Kimi Raikkonen having now been amicably bought out of his final year’s service contract with the Scuderia, as Steve Matchett had pondered the staggering $49m reported salary the Kimster was set to earn next year whilst driving the red cars…As Scuderia Ferrari’s 2010 driver line-up will now consist of Fernando Alonso alongside the rapidly improving Felipe Massa, with “Fishy-Fellah” (Fisichella) as the team’s new Test/Reserve Driver.

So let the dominoes begin to fall in the 2010 Formula 1 Drivers Sweepstakes!

To read about Peter Winsor’s Team USF1 latest Hi-jinx, See: Montagny to USF1?