USF1 – Kyle Busch Should Be The Driver of Choice
The launch of the USF1 team has spurred interest in the question of driver selection. I strongly suggest Kyle Busch should be the driver of choice for the team.
The USF1 is the first American team effort to enter Formula One in over 20 years. The team is the idea of Peter Windsor and Ken Anderson, two veterans of motorsports in the United States and abroad. Their goal with the team is to provide a very American presentation in Formula One. Part and parcel to this is the inclusion of American drivers.
Having come from the PR savvy world of Formula One, there is little doubt that Windsor has let slip a rumor that Danica Patrick is the choice as one of the drivers and then done everything in his power to fan the flames of that rumor. Is there any other American driver at the moment that will generate as much free publicity? Probably not. With all do respect to Danica, she needs a few more years of seasoning before having a go at Formula One.
There is one American driver who is clearly ready for Formula One – Kyle Busch. For the longest time, Jeff Gordon was considered the only driver in NASCAR that could swing the deal. He actually test drove a Williams at one point, but his time to enter F1 has definitely passed. Kyle Busch, however, is plenty young enough and has the talent to do it.
Kyle rubs people the wrong way, but there is absolutely no doubting he is a brilliant driver. To the misery of all the Junior fans out there, it is Kyle Busch, not Junior, who drives like the late, great Dale Earnhardt. He can take a car that is loose and put fifty laps down faster than any car despite the fact he is sideways through every turn. You might consider him a jerk, but you can’t deny he is a talent and a half. Just look at his wins.
Busch would be perfect for Formula One. He’s a driver who gives no quarter and asks none. To watch Busch tangle with Hamilton and Alonso would to watch some excellent racing. Car control is vital in Formula One. The ability to drive on the absolute limit and be hyper aggressive is what sets the champions from the also rans. Busch already does that now and he could be a champion in Formula One if given a competitive car.
So, is it likely Busch will jump to F1 with the USF1 team? Unfortunately, it probably is very unlikely. Why? First, Gibbs Racing knows what it has and will be spending the money necessary to keep him. Second, there USF1 team is starting from scratch which means it will not be competitive for a few years and may never field a championship winner compared to the manufacture backed teams because of budgetary issues.
Still, there is little doubt that Kyle Busch is the American driver with the best skills that would translate to Formula One. Just imagine the first time he bump drafted someone!
Lemmy