Will Danica Patrick be able to put Formula One Track on Fire?
The Formula One caravan is ready to go back to the American soil once again. After having skipped America from the calendar since 2007, the sport has signed a contract with the Texas’ authorities to add it to the schedule from 2012 onwards. This time the Formula One supremo, Bernie Ecclestone does not want to have any thing missing from the Grand Prix that adds to the success of the event and above all what he wants now is an American racer or team in the Formula One squad before the cars head towards the US soil.
Among all the options that are available Ecclestone is most willing to have the ultimate advert, Danica Patrick signed with the sport.
After Ecclestone revealed his interest last week, for having the female IndyCar racer under Formula One’s umbrella a lot of rumours and gossips spread in the air. There had been all sorts of speculations in the media as well as the analysts having their own opinions regarding Ecclestone’s statement.
Patrick is one of the most glamorous and celebrated female racers of America who is said to have given a new meaning to women racing history.
Seeing her performance and form this year many of the other drivers as well as analysts do not have a lot of confidence in her for formula One. Many believe that she might not be able to take a place on the grid with the type of competition that Formula One gives. However, there is another majority of race fans that believes her to be the ideal racer to turn the United States Grand Prix into a much bigger event.
Well, one thing is for sure and that is the fact that the commercial value of the Grand Prix will increase many folds if Patrick ties up with it, especially at a time when the sport had not embraced a female racer for a long time. Still many are of the view that it will spoil the American racer’s career graph as well as the teams’ with which she will be coupled as she will not be able to stand the kind of competition that Formula One demands.
The Force India driver, Tonio Liuzzi while commenting on Ecclestone’s statement said that though he agrees to the commercial advantages of having this female racer in the squad but still he told that he does not feel that, “a female racer would be able to fight right at the front.”
He thinks that the stress and pressure, both physical and mental that Formula One offers will be quite tough for the girl. While talking to the espnf1.com he said, "I think Danica could be big for publicity like she is in America but Formula One has a different objective and is a tougher challenge both physically and psychologically.”
He further added that being at the top in Formula One is different from being on top in any of the other auto races.
However, besides what everyone has to say, they are sure for one thing and that is, when Bernie says something he has a great idea to support it as well. For Danica Patrick everyone knows that it will be great for the business to showcase her, yet what everyone does not know is the plan of the boss to make her a success at the sport.
Above all one must not even underestimate Patrick, who had been able to prove herself not only as a darling in front of cameras and lights but also a great driver and equally competitive among men on the track.
Though this season has not been very brilliant for her, but still she stands as a race winner in the IndyCar Series.
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