F1 working with teams to find future American drivers

Formula One saw the United States as a major market for growth and was adding a second race next year in Miami, along with the existing grand prix in Austin, Texas.

Published : May 08, 2021 10:36 IST

The most recent American driver in F1 was Alexander Rossi who started five races for the now-defunct Marussia team in 2015.
The most recent American driver in F1 was Alexander Rossi who started five races for the now-defunct Marussia team in 2015.
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The most recent American driver in F1 was Alexander Rossi who started five races for the now-defunct Marussia team in 2015.

Formula One was working with teams to identify U.S. drivers, who might make it to grand prix racing but none was likely to come through in the near term, chief executive Stefano Domenicali said on Friday.

"We are working with teams to try to understand what is really the possibility for American drivers to come to the attention of Formula One teams in the short-term," Domenicali told analysts on a first quarter earnings call.

"I don’t see that, being very pragmatic and realistic, coming in the next two or three years but maybe after."

The most recent was Alexander Rossi who started five races with a highest placing of 12th for the now-defunct Marussia team in 2015 before leaving to go on and win the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie in 2016.

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Formula One saw the United States as a major market for growth and was adding a second race next year in Miami, along with the existing grand prix in Austin, Texas.

"I know there are teams watching the good drivers that, if they are ready, would be a big boost for the American fans," said Domenicali.

"The people want to see these guys. Therefore the hope that we have is that very, very soon we have American drivers competing against all the others in the Formula One championship."

Haas and Williams both have U.S. owners while U.S.-based investment group MSP Sports Capital have a significant minority stake in McLaren.

Two Americans have won the Formula One world championship since the first in 1950 -- Phil Hill in 1961 and Mario Andretti in 1978.

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