I don't see anything wrong with AGR having the American franchise in A1GP. If I understand correctly, the current owner used to be involved with the IRL team that ran Scott Sharp in the 8. Look at other organizations that are and have been involved with A1; they include a bunch of GP2 teams: DAMS, Dave Price Racing, Arden, Super Nova. I think this notion of the USA A1 race seat being 'open to all comers' is incorrect. It's at the discretion of the owner of that nation's franchise, I'd say.

That being said, I'd rather have Summerton to keep that seat another year. But hey, if AGR with Marco and Danica can improve our results, more power to them.

I also think if you think Marco's ever racing in F1 for Ferrari, you're deluding yourself.

Agreed Stu. As usual, he has to start from the bottom up so other teams can evaluate his performance.

There is no way Marco can get into the top 5 teams (McLaren, BMW, Ferrari, Renault, RBR) in his 1st year.

Both Danica and Marco need to go to a series that will teach them how to be a team mate and how to drive. Danica could use some anger management too. Passion and aggressive tendencies without talent is a recipe for disaster and mediocre drives, such as we have seen from both Marco and Danica.

>>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<<

Well, there is a difference in that Marco and Danica are are already employed, established, high-salaried drivers. They have already solidified a career in racing, wheras Summerton has not...

I would personally like A1GP to be giving a 'shot' to young talent that would otherwise not get showcase it on the world stage...

I would personally like A1GP to employ drivers that will compete on a high level. I think Marco can do it and Jonathan Summerton can do it, of the drivers that seem interested.

Has anyone heard of German Timo Glock? He started out as test driver for a F1 team,drove a few races. Moved on to Champ Car for awhile, can't remember who he drove for. But was a good driver, was rookie of the year in either 06 or 07. Then went back to Europe via GP2 and won the championship in second year there. Now driving in F1 for Toyota, its not Ferrari or Mclaren, but he's doing it. Made podium not to long ago, after a brutal wreck. This is someone Marco needs to sit a have a talk with. Not a big fan of AGR, but Marcos got talent. It's like the families wine, it needs aging. With Indycar transforming into CART/Champ Car 2.0, and their involvement with A1GP. This could help him (age) develop into a driver like Mario. Running a year or two in GP2 would be helpful too on his way to F1. I know Indycar doesnt want to lose a Andretti or a Rahal but where is Matos, Antunucci and the other upcoming drivers gonna go? NASCAR. F1 is what Graham and Marco have dreamed about probably all their lives. Thats got to be the reason Graham went to Champ Car and not the IRL and Rahal/Letterman. Champ Car was the logical step towards F1,street/road courses. F1 does'nt do ovals, so running ovals in the IRL isn't gonna get you a ride in F1. Graham must of locked himself in his room crying when unification was announced. I went to Laguna Seca for the only A1GP stop in America. It was cool racing. Graham was racing for Lebanon, Junky was racing for Brazil, Herta for USA. There were a few others Tomas Enge, Sheckter, Manning. The cars are all alike, no trick parts . A chassis with a front wing, rear wing, motor, four tires and drivers talent. Would be great to see Danica racing against Duno(Brazil) and Katherinne Legge(Great Britian) with equal equipment. I would be up till 1 or 2 oclock in the morning watching A1GP on SPEED channel. Even if Marco or Graham tried the Glock Trail, there still young enough to come back to Indycar with a whole bunch of racing experience under the belt. But it would really be nice to have an American in F1. Besides have you seen the babes that go to F1 races, you gotta check out Ralf Schumachers (Micheals little bro) woman. DAMN, and he ain't even racing anymore.

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.

Or perhaps field three drivers. Is that not within the rules? Or does A1GP limit the size of the driver pool allowed?

having either tested with or raced with Rahal, Marco, and Summerton and knowing them all to a fair degree........

Marco: I can say that I think seating Marco would truly be a waste of an otherwise great SEAT for a relatively poor driver (summerton) who has gotten where he is completely based on talent (very very rare thing in the USA) I know Marco has a lot of guts and is reasonably intelligent, but he has a very acute lack of talent (in international racing terms)
He really used to struggle to find speed compared to the rest of us, despite having a budget that was more than double the nearest driver. I don;t know why on earth you would waste a great international seat on someone just because their name is Andretti.....outside of marketing

A1GP is made to be a proving ground among great drivers from different nations and is as serious about racing as Enzo Ferrari was, not focused almost solely on marketing like most American Series (i'm sure the A1GP series owner, from Dubai, can afford to miss out on marketing opportunities)

Rahal: Rahal I have always loved and he is really pleasant to talk with and extremely intelligent and without ego. But he took years to come along and up to speed in karting and although I think his approach to racing, professionalism, and intelligence is exemplary its amazing how much RAW talent is needed to even get through GP2 and into F1……unfortunately he does not posses this to a high enough degree. Great guy though and wish him the best.

Charlie Kimball: he was born in Britian and lived there for half his life, give an American a chance instead!

Jonathan Summerton: quickest guy I have seen since AJ Allmindinger, but MUCH more mature and controls his emotions far better. As mature and possibly as intelligent as Rahal (tuff call) the most RAW talent I have ever seen of our generation. Beat F1 super talent Sebass Vettel on several occasions....he is the real deal. Really wish American companies would back him for GP2 but unfortunately it is not happening and our best hope for an F1 star in decades may never get the opportunity…….great shame.

If A1GPUSA is there to win races and not purely for marketing, they need to keep Jon for every race. Though it would be funny to see the contrast between a talent like Jonathan and Marco and I guess would get his name out there is the good thing about it.

O yeah Jonathan was the first American to win Gold in China during their Olympic year ; ) put that on the final gold tally count!

U…S…A

Summerton has done a great job in F3 Euro, A1GP and Atlantics especially for how little he has driven. Is the deal done? If so he should be allowed to test with Marco and Danica and see how they all perform.
I agree Summerton should be in GP2 for 09. He has beaten Vettal, Buemi and Grosjean all in his rookie year in F3 Euro so he is definitely faster, but apparently most drivers in GP2 are sponsored by manufacturers like Mercedes or Renault or Red Bull. [size=3]Which American company will step up and sponsor America's hope for F1, Summerton?[/size] We need an American in F1 as F1 is coming back

POLEDRIVER - 08 September 2008 04:46 AM

Summerton has done a great job in F3 Euro, A1GP and Atlantics especially for how little he has driven. Is the deal done? If so he should be allowed to test with Marco and Danica and see how they all perform.
I agree Summerton should be in GP2 for 09. He has beaten Vettal, Buemi and Grosjean all in his rookie year in F3 Euro so he is definitely faster, but apparently most drivers in GP2 are sponsored by manufacturers like Mercedes or Renault or Red Bull. [size=3]Which American company will step up and sponsor America's hope for F1, Summerton?[/size] We need an American in F1 as F1 is coming back

This season is going to be key for Summerton. The cars this year in A1GP are much more like modern F1 cars than the old car. If he can do well there his cred will go up significantly.