Good, Bad, or Doesn't Matter?

[RacerX]

USF1 will not be going to Europe for winter testing -

The first USF1 car will make its debut on an American circuit, it was announced on Friday.

The Charlotte based team's sporting director Peter Windsor told the official F1 website that the FIA has granted special dispensation to allow winter testing for USF1 away from the normal European group sessions.

"Because we are a new team and start everything from zero the first time we will run the car will be in the United States at the Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama, the circuit that was nominated by the FIA for us," he said.

Windsor added that the maiden test will take place "at the beginning of February", but was not more specific.

He said the FIA dispensation allows for three tests in the US, before the car is shipped to Spain "to do some testing there before we fly out to Bahrain".

I think we're seeing the first major disadvantage to being based on this side of the pond. I think it's very important for this team to get to Europe for these winter tests. How will they get a true look at how good or bad there car is if they aren't competing on the same tracks? It doesn't bode well that they can't get there.

What do you think?

[IndyAndy]

Not so sure that it matters. Teams should be looking for/working out 'bugs' in their cars, not worrying about where they stack up on the time sheets (unless they are well off of everybody else's pace!).

[RacerX]

Originally Posted by IndyAndy

Not so sure that it matters. Teams should be looking for/working out 'bugs' in their cars, not worrying about where they stack up on the time sheets (unless they are well off of everybody else's pace!).

And how will they know if there on everyone else's pace if their not competing on the same tracks? What is a good pace for an F1 car at Barber, which has never seen an F1 car?

I see problems with this...

[FIVE]

for the first time out with a new piece.......
they will have a better chance of repair or modification
being close to home.
i hope "kb" gets the chance to get behing the wheel,it
would at least let him know whether to persue the permits
and qualifications.

[Insighter]

It won't matter this year, they will have only time for a couple tests anyway. At this point they will be working on bigger issues and it will be obvious what the car needs. Knowing pace won't be nearly the most important thing.

Next year when they have more test time it will be a bigger issue, but I think the plan is to have the new cars in Spain before the Europe tests and probably compete in them if all goes to plan.

[RacerX]

Welcome FIVE! Glad to have you on-board!

USF1 did say that they will have the car in Spain before going onto Bahrain for the first race.

I still don't believe that Barber will show them much if anything, except that the engine runs, the wheels turn and the driver, whoever that might be, can get around a track without crashing (we hope!)...

[Insighter]

Originally Posted by RacerX

I still don't believe that Barber will show them much if anything, except that the engine runs, the wheels turn and the driver, whoever that might be, can get around a track without crashing (we hope!)...

I agree completely, but you need a shakedown venue to log some miles on a new car, and Barber is the closest FIA circuit.

[f1fan-sky]

At this point, I just want to see something badged USF1 running somewhere!! Since this will be first time out of the box for their car, I think they are better off close to home base where changes/modifications can be made quickly and efficiently. I just want to see something happen.

[Touchette]

I'm with Insighter on this, it doesn't really matter. It's just an opportunity to get seat time.

[RacerX]

I'm not sure why the FIA is giving USF1 this -

Team US F1 has been granted extra straight-line testing days for the 2010 season as dispensation for its geographical location. The Charlotte-based team has already been allowed to conduct its initial preseason tests in the United States (at Barber Motorsports Park outside Birmingham, Ala.) rather than be forced to travel to Europe to join the official runs that are taking place in Spain throughout February. Now, as the outfit continues preparations for its 2010 debut, the team has been told it can have two more straight-line days than its rivals. The regulations state that teams are limited to just four straight-line test days in 2010 – which can be exchanged for one full-scale wind tunnel day.

US F1 sporting director Peter Windsor told AUTOSPORT: "We have been given special dispensation to have six straight-line/full-scale tunnel days, rather than the four to which all the other teams are limited. It is an example of how the FIA and the teams have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome."

The team's new car is scheduled to run for the first time in February at Barber Motorsports Park.

I'm not sure what difference the geographical location of the team has to do with getting two more testing days. Seem's to me to be more evidence that this team is not ready to go...

[Insighter]

That's confusing to me too. Especially that the other teams would agree to this. Why do you need more straight-line tests because you are based in the US? I cannot give a reasonable answer.