Robin Miller is reporting that after this season of A1GP Andretti/Green will buy out the current TeamUSA and field Danica and Marco so that they can get road experience during the summer months. I'm not sure if he is reporting a rumor or trying to create what he is reporting

I have to wonder...knowing that Mario is loved in Italy and still has pretty significant contacts and friends in Ferrari AND with Ferrari now supplying the car and engine in A1GP if Mario has his fingers in this somehow to get Marco into international racing somehow as a kinda test for F1. As for Danica, her presence in the series might boost the chances of having a couple of A1GP races in the U.S. (even if she is not THAT good).

thoughts? Plausible?

The other thing is that Miller is also reporting that Andretti would sell their ALMS team to Gil De Ferran. That would make sense, cause then they could use the money that was going for the sports car racing to go A1GP racing.

Marco already tested with Honda's F1 team twice, but as far as Ferarri giving him a test? No chance.

DamonG19 - 18 August 2008 09:41 AM

Marco already tested with Honda's F1 team twice, but as far as Ferarri giving him a test? No chance.

Really? So you don't think Ferrari would give him a look if he dominated in a Ferrari A1GP car that was a fairly recent copy (pretty much) of a Ferrari F1 car?

Danathar - 18 August 2008 09:54 AM

DamonG19 - 18 August 2008 09:41 AM

Marco already tested with Honda's F1 team twice, but as far as Ferarri giving him a test? No chance.

Really? So you don't think Ferrari would give him a look if he dominated in a Ferrari A1GP car that was a fairly recent copy (pretty much) of a Ferrari F1 car?

No, not really

Danathar - 18 August 2008 09:36 AM

Robin Miller is reporting that after this season of A1GP Andretti/Green will buy out the current TeamUSA and field Danica and Marco so that they can get road experience during the summer months. I'm not sure if he is reporting a rumor or trying to create what he is reporting :)

I have to wonder...knowing that Mario is loved in Italy and still has pretty significant contacts and friends in Ferrari AND with Ferrari now supplying the car and engine in A1GP if Mario has his fingers in this somehow to get Marco into international racing somehow as a kinda test for F1. As for Danica, her presence in the series might boost the chances of having a couple of A1GP races in the U.S. (even if she is not THAT good).

thoughts? Plausible?

The other thing is that Miller is also reporting that Andretti would sell their ALMS team to Gil De Ferran. That would make sense, cause then they could use the money that was going for the sports car racing to go A1GP racing.

Most of the people in AGR previously running the ALMS effort can be shifted over to A1GP. Marco and Danica in the U.S. car would drive more interest in the series stateside than whoever we got in there now. Not to mention, AGR is more capable than whatever team is running it now. Danica and Marco will get out-of-season races that don't conflict with the Indycar schedule to strengthen their road racing prowess. And that way, in the future this helps them have to rely less on Tony Kanaan in setting up a car. Everyone-A1GP, AGR, Danica, Marco, Kanaan-is a winner in this situation.

Ferrari? I doubt they care about Marco Andretti...or his grandpa.

StateBoiler - 18 August 2008 11:18 AM

Danathar - 18 August 2008 09:36 AM

Robin Miller is reporting that after this season of A1GP Andretti/Green will buy out the current TeamUSA and field Danica and Marco so that they can get road experience during the summer months. I'm not sure if he is reporting a rumor or trying to create what he is reporting

I have to wonder...knowing that Mario is loved in Italy and still has pretty significant contacts and friends in Ferrari AND with Ferrari now supplying the car and engine in A1GP if Mario has his fingers in this somehow to get Marco into international racing somehow as a kinda test for F1. As for Danica, her presence in the series might boost the chances of having a couple of A1GP races in the U.S. (even if she is not THAT good).

thoughts? Plausible?

The other thing is that Miller is also reporting that Andretti would sell their ALMS team to Gil De Ferran. That would make sense, cause then they could use the money that was going for the sports car racing to go A1GP racing.

Most of the people in AGR previously running the ALMS effort can be shifted over to A1GP. Marco and Danica in the U.S. car would drive more interest in the series stateside than whoever we got in there now. Not to mention, AGR is more capable than whatever team is running it now. Danica and Marco will get out-of-season races that don't conflict with the Indycar schedule to strengthen their road racing prowess. And that way, in the future this helps them have to rely less on Tony Kanaan in setting up a car. Everyone-A1GP, AGR, Danica, Marco, Kanaan-is a winner in this situation.

Ferrari? I doubt they care about Marco Andretti...or his grandpa.

I don't know. Seems Mario always has the right phone numbers, plus the award he got from Italy..he is the ONLY one in the world to get that award for autoracing other than.....Enzo Ferrari.

-
On October 23, 2006, at the Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York, Andretti was awarded the highest civilian honor given by the Italian government, the Commendatore dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (known as the Commendatore), in honor of his racing career, public service, and enduring commitment to his Italian heritage. Enzo Ferrari is the only other recipient of the Commendatore from the world of automobile racing.
-

I like the idea overall, but I'd hate to see Summerton tossed aside because of it.

Really? So you don't think Ferrari would give him a look if he dominated in a Ferrari A1GP car that was a fairly recent copy (pretty much) of a Ferrari F1 car?

Hmm between Alonso, Kubica or Marco "10 DNFs in an IRL season" Andretti? I know who I would choose.

Also, it would be cool to get more awareness for A1GP, but agree with Mearn about Summerton. That kid is talented.

This is good for American OWR, and the key word to all of this is "Buy".

Michael Andretti is buying up many things and this is just another step forward. Marco does need more road racing experience and he's the buyer's son. Danica is the 'cash cow' who helps Michael finance the purchase. Heck, she finished 3rd in Atlantics and was a success in her early European days, or is that just the perception we've been given. And, it might be a reason to start promoting ovals for A1GP? Good thinking on Michael's part to have a foot in the door at this early stage. As for the Ferrari connection, Mario being Italian and all has no bearing on this decision, if it is true in fact.

However, A1GP does have the right idea to slowly expand and perhaps eventually steal some of the thunder from GP2 and even F1. (Think maybe how NASCAR began to eat away at the popularity of CART/USAC in the early days when no one was looking.) A1GP is using the "nationalistic" approach to market itself instead of the manufacturers. But, Ferrari has got in the door. And, as we all know, the USA population is one of the most nationalistic flag waving countries in the world. It works in soccer (world football) but it would only take a small adjustment once established to get away from the nationalistic approach since most top quality drivers come from a rather select group of countries. Or, the teams might become 'nationalistic driver-orientated', whichever works best for the major players at the time to sell to the consumer/fan.

The point is A1GP has a plan and is working towards it. Maybe even another merger with IRS/TG is in the future to create a truly year-round world OW racing series. Didn't the three Amigos have this idea when they acquired the assets of CART? Oh well, it's probably just another way the rich kid can alter his vision to make more money!
The rich get richer and this new TV/cable deal can really pay off, huh?

Mearn - 18 August 2008 12:38 PM

I like the idea overall, but I'd hate to see Summerton tossed aside because of it.

I COMPLETELY agree with that. Dump Danica and pair Summerton with Marco.

Sabrina81 - 18 August 2008 01:03 PM

Really? So you don't think Ferrari would give him a look if he dominated in a Ferrari A1GP car that was a fairly recent copy (pretty much) of a Ferrari F1 car?

Hmm between Alonso, Kubica or Marco "10 DNFs in an IRL season" Andretti? I know who I would choose.

Also, it would be cool to get more awareness for A1GP, but agree with Mearn about Summerton. That kid is talented.

Don't get me wrong here, I don't think Marco is headed for F1 anytime SOON but getting into A1GP is the closest he'll get to racing an F1 car without actually getting into one (or going into GP2).

How well he handles A1GP will be an indicator to himself and Michael/Mario if he can hack it. The F1 paddock might consider sniffing him if he does well. Who knows? He's not going F1 via the IRL route that is for sure.