Future American Formula 1 Drivers

[NapoleonMikey]

Everybody knows USF1 wont have an American driver this year and they will be lucky to have one by the following year. Lets face it all of the current drivers eligible are to old and mostly come from the oval side of things. But the past weekend at the PRI show here in Orlando I got to talk with a few of the lower tier drivers. One of them in particular, Liam Kenney who will be driving Formula 3 next season, seemed to be on a good road to lead to the possibility of being able to run in F1 in a a few years. I was wondering what other up and coming young American drivers we can look forward to that will be racing in F3 or GP2 that will be a contender for a returning American Formula 1 driver. Also how long do you think it will take to find a good fit for one.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Alexander Rossi is probably their best bet.

 

[Ardius]

J. R. Hildebrand - Won the Indy Lights series this year, did well in his only A1GP race.
Alexander Rossi - Did well in International Formula Master, finished 4th overall. Currently racing the GP2 Asia series.
Jonathan Summerton - best American in A1GP, won their only race. Raced in Indy Lights and was decent. Ended up 14th overall in a recent Formula 2 test session.

Those are the main drivers being mentioned, there are some more knocking about in Formula Renault and elsewhere but they don't appear to be very good.

The teams already have found those 3, Rossi and Hildebrand both tested at the young driver tests for BMW Sauber and Force India respectively. I think Rossi is possibly good enough but they need some experience against a better measuring stick like GP2 before any of the teams will consider them ahead of people like Hulkenburg and Ricciardo.

 

[Paulie]

I hope they find someone good, because next to Mark Webber the US F1 team will be who I'm cheering for.

 

[Rblanshard]

Why isn't Marco Andretti being mentioned? I know Mario came out a few years ago and said he'd be perfect for F1.

 

[Ardius]

Perhaps because he is pretty mediocre? Summerton outperformed him in A1GP and he isn't particularly rated.
He seems to be distinctly average in Indycar too.

 

[Northstar]

I don't think Marco would fair well in F1. I also don't think his dad would be all that happy about it.

 

[Spencer]

Marco doesn't have the talent really on the road courses to be considered for it. If anyone, Graham Rahal should be mentioned.