If I were an Andretti, I'd buy the new franchise of A1 Team Croatia The village Mario was born in was in Italy in 1939, but it's in Croatia now .

It's probably a lot cheaper than buying the team USA franchise from the current owner.

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.

I agree your point about getting recognition if he or another American driver dominates A1GP - it worked for Nico Hulkenberg. I just don't think Marco is that talented. It definitely seems like the most realistic way to get an American into F1 these days.

Who knows though - maybe his crazy aggressive driving style would work better in A1GP. I'm worried Danica would get eaten alive in A1GP - who's going to set up their cars? They wouldn't have the AGR advantage they get now in the IRL.

Interesting...very interestng but I doubt it'll happen. AGR has shown no interest in racing internationally and besides giving Marco and Danica more road course exposure (as well as international exposure to AOW overall) there's no money behind this. Why spend so much money on a team for what seems to be the very short term and get no green in return? Doesn't sound like AGR and it makes no business sense.

If this were to happen it would be great because A1GP is growing in popularity and respect world wide plus with AGR running things might give the team a competitive boost. I'd be more excited if it were Rahal or Penske though.

Danathar - 18 August 2008 02:03 PM

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.

If it really occurs, that will sideline tester Charlie Kimball.

Other perfect candidates as testers:
Graham Rahal
Atlantic driver Carl Skerlong.
Current Formula BMW Pacific driver Sean McDonagh.

If this is true, I'm disgusted. A1GP should be a neutral and level playing field for up and coming drivers to compete. I wanted to try and race in this series; now it looks like if I want that to happen I'll have to field my own team. AGR should be blocked from acquiring Team USA by A1GP. They are making a mockery out of the A1GP concept. A1GP is going to be used as a minor league for two drivers that are barely capable of competing in Indy Cars. This is total b.s (if it is true), I am so angry that this is happening; this is an abomination.

racer-ex - 19 August 2008 12:47 AM

If this is true, I'm disgusted. A1GP should be a neutral and level playing field for up and coming drivers to compete. I wanted to try and race in this series; now it looks like if I want that to happen I'll have to field my own team. AGR should be blocked from acquiring Team USA by A1GP. They are making a mockery out of the A1GP concept. A1GP is going to be used as a minor league for two drivers that are barely capable of competing in Indy Cars. This is total b.s (if it is true), I am so angry that this is happening; this is an abomination.

1. If A1GP was only for up and coming drivers, then please explain to me why veteran drivers such as Christian Fittipaldi, Bryan Herta, and Buddy Rice were allowed to race.

2. Danica and Marco have each won a race in the IndyCar Series. Danica is currently 6th in the IndyCar Series points race. Marco is one of the most aggressive drivers in the IndyCar Series and is usually racing at the front of the field. He has led a lot of laps this season, but has either crashed out or had bad luck with cautions and pit strategy. Neither of them are "barely capable" of competing in the IndyCar Series as you claim.

And now for other points...

1. AGR taking over A1 Team USA is a good thing for all parties involved (especially if Danica and Marco race in A1GP during the IndyCar Series off-season). A1GP gets 2 American stars and the IRL gets to promote the IndyCar Series and IndyCar drivers during the off-season. A1 Team USA gets better with AGR's enginneers and drivers. AGR gets better since Danica and Marco gain more experience. Marco gets to race in Europe and still gets to race in the IndyCar Series (as opposed to leaving the IndyCar Series for GP2).

2. When does A1GP's contract with SPEED run out? A1GP used to be on Versus. It would be nice to have both A1GP and the IRL on Versus. That would make Versus the channel for open wheel racing.

1. Veteran drivers were racing in A1GP because team principals wanted them to compete; they were not there to learn.

2. Patrick and Andretti have one of the top rides in the series and aren't on par with Kannan; if it weren't for his setups the team would be mid-field.


A1GP rides should be neutral, the only way an American has a shot at the ride is to have their last name be Andretti or have a contract with AGR; this is hardly by the people for the people. I hope Rick has a change of heart.

racer-ex - 19 August 2008 01:50 PM

2. Patrick and Andretti have one of the top rides in the series and aren't on par with Kannan; if it weren't for his setups the team would be mid-field.

the thing you forget to mention is that this year kannan has used both marco's and danica's setups at times.
kannan ran danicas setup at kansas where he finished 2nd and ran marcos setup at nashville when he finished 4th.
also when kannan won at richmond the setup he started with was one of danicas setups from a test she had done at richmond a few weeks before.

ive been to several irl races this year and the myth that danica doesnt setup her own car is just that,a myth.she does setup her own car a majority of the time,sure there are times when she takes a team mates setup however her 3 team mates also take each others setups occasionally,as i stated above even kannan has used setups from danica and marco at times this season.

If this goes through the proof will be in the pudding; as they say. It is a shame that talented American drivers are getting screwed out of a ride that should be neutral. You didn't need a last name or an association with an incumbent team to have a shot at the team USA seat; you needed to have talent and guts. I suppose I will have to renew my British passport.

racer-ex - 19 August 2008 01:50 PM

1. Veteran drivers were racing in A1GP because team principals wanted them to compete; they were not there to learn.

2. Patrick and Andretti have one of the top rides in the series and aren't on par with Kannan; if it weren't for his setups the team would be mid-field.

1. What's the difference between having Jonathan Summerton using A1GP as a learning tool and having Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti using A1GP as a learning tool? Absolutely nothing.

2. See RaceFan2007's post.

racer-ex - 19 August 2008 01:50 PM

A1GP rides should be neutral, the only way an American has a shot at the ride is to have their last name be Andretti or have a contract with AGR; this is hardly by the people for the people. I hope Rick has a change of heart.

AGR doesn't hire drivers based on their performance?

racer-ex - 19 August 2008 03:29 PM

If this goes through the proof will be in the pudding; as they say. It is a shame that talented American drivers are getting screwed out of a ride that should be neutral. You didn't need a last name or an association with an incumbent team to have a shot at the team USA seat; you needed to have talent and guts.

1. Do you even realize that if Danica and Marco race in A1GP, then they obviously wouldn't be able to make it to every A1GP race due to scheduling conflicts? AGR will obviously sign another driver to run those races.

2. Do you even watch IndyCar racing? Both Danica and Marco have talent. And Marco definitely has guts. How many other IndyCar drivers have the guts to run the high line on ovals?