USF1 Changes Name – Doh!
The new American Formula One Team – USF1 – has been big on hype and short on facts. Now it is even shorter. The team has run into problems with the powers that be over its name.
Formula One Management governs the championship series. It also happens to be a bit sensitive regarding the use of its name. The new American Formula One team started by Peter Windsor apparently made the mistake of failing to get approval for the use of “F1” in the team name. This was not a good move.
In an embarrassing development, Formula One Management has mandated the removal of the “F1” abbreviation from the team name. In a quick switch, the new American team is now known as USGPE. This mouthful stands for “United States Grand Prix Engineering.”
In truth, the team has been blindsided a bit by the order. The Williams team is known by the title “Williams F1”. It is difficult to see why Williams is allowed to use the name when the American team is not. Perhaps it has to do with tradition, but it really is not a big deal.
What is a bit troubling is the fact that it never occurred to the American team to ask about these things. If they can’t get the name correct, one has to wonder about the more important moving parts. I love Formula One and would love to see an American team, but there is something about this that feels a little ragged. I certainly hope I am not wrong.
So, the USF1 Team is known the USGPE. Let’s hope they had a 30 day return option on the signs, business cards and stationary!
Lemmy