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Source: Grandprix.comA lurking Piquet
Nelson Piquet Jr was lurking around Minardi for most of Thursday in Monte Carlo and team sources say that the Brazilian, who is currently racing in GP2 wants to try to break into F1 next year. Minardi will probably have seats available as team boss Paul Stoddart makes no bones about the fact that he will take the drivers who have the money he needs to keep the team running in 2006. The word on the street is that the going rate for a Minardi drive in 2006 is around $6m, depending on the Euro-dollar exchange rate at any given moment.
Comments
Who would outpace the other according to you?
There should be one fast enough, and even if she's a little slower that wouldn't weigh up against the money and publicity she brings in.
But oh well... The silly season is starting early this year ;)
[Edited on 25/5/2005 by Stan]
Or, we could hire someone because they're a very capable driver who also brings sponsorship.
[Edited on 26/5/2005 by FlyingPanda]
Because Minardi are 'underfunded' sometimes this will mean that a driver bringing money will have to be employed.
The fastest driver in the world can't go anywhere without "wheels" Etc.
If a woman driver can generate the required sponsership income or speed then great! - if not get someone who can!!
We are suposeed to be a race team that should be our only concern.
You start implying that a woman would make an idiot of herself. I don't think that has to be true at all. There are a few fast women around (right?)
And even if she would make a fool out of herself, who cares. Minardi would earn the money it so desperately needs, and can fire her at the end of the season.
We'll be driving at the back next season with or without a woman.
Sanna Pinola, has anyone heard a thing about her since she won the Nordic F3 championship in 2001?
Milka Duno has had the occasional win in Prototypes,
Danica Patrick had two seasons in Formula Atlantic with the top team, failed to win a single race, is now racing in an amateur category somewhere.
Katherine Legge did in her first F. Atlantic race what Patrick couldn't do in two years. A hope for the future, but too early to throw her in the deep end.
[Edited on 27/5/2005 by FlyingPanda]
Maybelline Minardi Cosworth:
"maybe she was born with it, maybe its maybelline!"
and get keisa in as the third woman driver.....
Hasn't she just qualified fourth for the Indy 500???
Give her a drive on Friday at the USGP.
You would not be able to qualify.
Danica Patrick will have the Formula One paddock following her progress at the 89th Indianapolis 500 this Sunday with interest.
The 23-year-old Rahal/Letterman IRL driver is in a realistic position to win the event, after becoming the highest-qualified woman, starting the race from fourth in what is considered the most dominant car of the field.
"I am going to be cheering for Danica Patrick," said BAR-Honda driver Jenson Button, who had been acquainted with Patrick since she raced in England, in Formula Ford.
"Anything can happen," Button added. "I haven't seen her for ages but I used to be friends when we were racing. I have always looked at her progress ever since.
"She raced a few years younger than me so she was always behind in her career, but she had done a great job. I am not saying that just because she is a girl, she has done a great job."
But the question every journalist is asking, is can Patrick make it into Formula One?
1995 Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve, whom Patrick lists as her role model, sounded a note of caution about her prospects.
"If she could manage Formula One, media-wise that would be the best thing that could ever happen. That would be great," he said. "But driving on an oval, and driving on a road course or mainly in Formula One, physically is not the same thing.
"We train like maniacs, or I train like a maniac, and Formula One is physical. In every sport, as soon as it becomes physical, there is a difference between a man and a woman. That's just the way it is," said Villeneuve.
"Formula One gets really, really physical. I think it would start making a difference. That doesn't mean she couldn't do well, It's always worth a try.
"But it will be a lot harder for a female than for a male because physically it is harder. That doesn't mean she can't do it. I'm not saying 'Oh, no way let's not bother.'"
Jackie Stewart somewhat disagreed with the Canadian.
"We need an American, and to have a woman in addition to that is pretty spectacular," he said. "If she does (win Indy), she will be a superstar in America.
"But it's too early to say (about Formula One). She did very well on one day...but she's got to win races as well. It's not just a question of doing the occasional good performance.
"It's nothing to do with strength, it's to do with your ability to put yourself into something, totally connect with it, not give any compromise and whether its a woman or a man really doesn't matter as far as I am concerned," he added.
"There is nothing to stop a woman doing it."
And I think she's been in the top five in all the quali sessions as well. Give her a run, what can it hurt?
Just down to you to find some money in the USA, Emmett:D
At the same time if might give one of our boys a chance to run a few laps in the new car as well.
Didn't McLaren do a similar thing a few years back with some other sheila?
[Edited on 27/5/2005 by oznomad]
TAG Heuer had a great commercial with Tiger Woods swinging a ball in Monaco and Sarah racing the ball in the McLaren !!!!
Yes - they let a broad run the mc BUT she baloon footed it around for parade laps only.
looked a bit awkward in the high heels - should've stuck to racing boots. ;)
I'm sure she could bring plenty of money and publicity.
The main thing is that we need someone in the third car and soon. Preferably with money and some experience.
Any chance that they can find some money??