Formula One to return to America in 2012, Ecclestone wants to see an American driver on the grid
The auto sport world is full of heroes and their heroic tales. Every rising sun brings new controversies and disputes, achievements or records and everyday there are new races and events that take place, yet not all are able to get equal an attention and coverage. There are two people about whom one can bet that any story that relates them is bound to get equal publicity. One of them is the seven times Formula One Champion, Michael Schumacher and the other is the American female racer Danica Patrick.
It is very evident that Formula One at this moment is highly interested to have an American racer in its squad, owing to the fact that the sport is to hold a Grand Prix on the American soil after a number of years in 2012. Ecclestone, the CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration said, "To have someone like Danica Patrick in F1 would be a perfect advert."
However, having Patrick signed holds more significance than just this. It is the arrival of a female driver in Formula One after many years and having that done with a driver of such a profile would be able to magnetise race fans as well as advertisers from all around the globe.
Patrick does not only hold the persona of being a racer; she is much more than that. Currently competing in the IndyCar Series, the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX and Menards, and the NASCAR Nationwide Series, she is a model and an advertising spokeswoman. She had established herself as being most stylish and glamorous person ever been on track and has taken female racing a step beyond. Formula One surely does not have an option better than having added her on its list of drivers.
The level of media interest that lies about her is unmatched probably largely because of her looks. She had been time and again titled as the most appealing thing on the track especially in the contemporary time when the sport at all levels is being accompanied by models and pit girls to create a more eye catching and attractive spectacle.
Above all, for Patrick if she signs a possible deal made to her by Formula One, the flame and passion that she had created in her continent so far, would be able to claim a global appeal. As Formula One caravan travels all around the globe and pulls more continents and media coverage than any other racing series.
However, one cannot forget the fact that more than anything else motor racing is about speed and acceleration and as the record says the glamour girl is just a mediocre. Her highest achievements include winning the 2008 Indy Japan 300, she placed 3rd in the 2009 Indianapolis 500, which was both a personal best for her at the track and the highest finish by a woman in the event's history.
On the other hand, some experts believe that the kind of physical, mental and psychological stress that Formula One driving demands nowadays would be too much for a woman. Patrick's larger chunk of experience comes from driving on Oval circuits of USA, which are less demanding in a number of ways. The switching might cost the heroine of American driving a lot more.
Bernie Ecclestone says it doesn't take a 'huge effort' to succeed in American racing but he would still like Danica Patrick to switch to F1.
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