Hornish in F1?

[chunterer]

It can't be a question of if, but WHEN!

He and Dixon are cut above other IRL drivers and there's a lot of good drivers in it now.

Will it be a Marlboro supported team, will it be Toyota powered? I reckon he'll be in by 2006, what do we think guys and gals?

Just how good really is Sam Hornish?

[jhansen]

I think once Sam is done in the IRL (presumably with another driver's tile, but more importantly an Indy 500 win) he will use his new Penske connections to make the switch to NASCAR.

[Down F0rce]

Originally posted by chunterer
Just how good really is Sam Hornish?

Very.

I'm not sure how he would do in F1, apparantly the last time he raced on the roads was Atlantics, he wasnt all that great. yet he dragged has car, which wasn't the best, first across the line it Milwaukee, I think it was.

He's being stuggling with the Chevy this year, yet could still make a challange sometimes.

Without a doubt he has talent, certainly one of the best driver I've ever seen, but whether or not he'd do well in F1 I'm not so sure.

[Down F0rce]

Sadly Sam does indeed want to do nascar, which is a shame 'cause, imo, he has more talent than that whole series put together

[jhansen]

Agreed DownF0rce

Gordon was respectable in the Williams at Indy and he lacks the road experience that Hornish has. IMO he could better Gordon's effort. I'd say it would be worth watching him try, but that NASCAR draw over here is too damn strong.

[enemy-ace]

Hornish's road racing talent is suspect at best and I personally don't think that the IRL machinery is a serious demand on a driver's skill. I wouldn't ever expect to see an IRL driver in F1 unless he has experience in some other road racing formulae.

[jhansen]

I agree enemy-ace that Hornish does not have the road course experience of the typical F1 rookie. However, even Montoya said that Gordon would have a fair chance in F1. So do you rate Gordon higher than Hornish, or just don't think either could manage it?

[ElScOrChO]

Has Sam ever driven on a road circuit???

[corkholio]

Hornish probably needs to win a race involving a right turn first.

[corkholio]

I doubt either can do much if you throw them into F1 without enough road racing experience.

[Adam43]

Sam is a handy road racer. Although I think the last effort was four years ago in Atlantic. Other than that he did the 'normal' karting, FF, along with an odd sportscar appearence.

However I still think it is a question of "if".

[enemy-ace]

Originally posted by jhansen
I agree enemy-ace that Hornish does not have the road course experience of the typical F1 rookie. However, even Montoya said that Gordon would have a fair chance in F1. So do you rate Gordon higher than Hornish, or just don't think either could manage it?

I rate Gordon higher than Hornish. Jeff held his own and drew praise from Ron Fellows, who is one of the best road racers going. I think it would be a long shot for Gordon in F1 as well but if I had to pick, Jeff would be my guy!

[BootsOntheSide]

Jeff Gordon would do better than Sam Hornish Jr right now, but I think, if Sam got a couple of years experience in F3000, he could become a worthy F1 driver. His showins in the 2003 IRL were amazing considering his poor machinery, and he was a young, inexperienced racer the last time he raced on road courses.

[Adam43]

Threads merged BTW!

[Hugewally]

When will Sam Hornish come to F1?

IMHO, never.... I don't believe he'll ever be good enough for F1.

[Jay]

Yup, Sam raced in Atlantic before the IRL and was very average on any course that involved turning right... definately an oval specialist...so, he'll be in Nascar soon.

[f1manoz]

Hornish in F1?

Sorry, but drivers who spend their time going round in circles don't even deserve to be considered for an F1 drive.

Once Hornish drives in a series that at least turns right, then he can prove how good he is.

[fordtc87]

Hornish in F1? Dreamer, nothing but a Dreamer!!

He has the brass to drive on the ovals, but can't quote handle the road circuits. He'll have to go to CART or F3 and learn the ropes. The IRL is a way out for F1, just ask Tomas Scheckter.

And I'd take Gordon for F1 over him anyday!!

[Snrub]

Where is the proof that these guys would be good road racers? IRL ovals run too much downforce. It takes substantially different skills to be good at high downforce, no lifting of the throttle oval racing and F1. Does that mean oval racing isn't at all relevant to road racing? No, but the IRL is not a good proving ground. Dixon was not particularly impressive in CART in for two years. He was good, but there was no evidence of this super-human talent he posesses according to his fans. In the IRL he has done well, but again, IRL is completely different, not to mention the setup accounts for a larger part of the equation. I fully expect Manning to give Dixon a run for his money in 2004.

My feeling from watching the two drivers is that Dixon probably isn't good enough (although it's not like F1 has never had mediocre drivers) while Hornish might be but would need to run some road races so we can see what he's made of there.

[jetsetter]

I can't see it happening as i don't think an F1 boss will take the risk on a driver that spends his life only turning left. There's a huge difference between F1 & IRL & if Hornish ever thinks about an F1 career i think he'd be better to try his hand at one of the junior categories first.

[Raven]

Sam in F1 won't happen.

Dixon may have a chance, but it would have to be within the next 3 years IMO. 50/50 chance.

Castroneves is the only IRL driver I'd like to see given the chance. He's better suited to road course racing.

[esorniloc]

Of the two Dixon and Hornish, Dixon's contract runs out after 2004. Hornish has just signed a long Penske contract that probably has him doing Nascar, at least part time by 05.

Hopefully Dixon will replace Montoya at Williams for 05. Ganassi and Williams have changed drivers 3 times now, and the timing fits well again for 05.

[enemy-ace]

Those were CART champions however and Dixon is only an IRL (read oval) champ. He was decent in CART but not a champion.

[esorniloc]

Of the two Dixon and Hornish, Dixon's contract runs out after 2004. Hornish has just signed a long Penske contract that probably has him doing Nascar, at least part time by 05.

Hopefully Dixon will replace Montoya at Williams for 05. Ganassi and Williams have changed drivers 3 times now, and the timing fits well again for 05.

[chunterer]

Snrub, i appreciate what your trying to say, but it's not quite right.
Dixon was the youngest ever winner of a CART race when he was driving for Pacwest three years ago, far from the best team. He has been quick in everything he's done oval or road based and is very reminiscent (in my view) of the late great Greg Moore.

The Gordon thing i s a good point but i think he's too far gone. His only hope if is if Bernie massages a switch and that will only be because he wants a major US household name, which Jeff certainly is. Yes i think he did ok at Indy Montoya swap thing, but he's need a lot more time in the car than that.

Both Sam, and Scott would also need plenty of time to acclamatise to F1 and i wouldn't expect them to show until second year or so. If they go with Toyota, they'll certainly get that!

I'm also a believer that if a driver really has it, then they'll be quick in anything, it's been proven over time. What they both lack is experience. Besides if they couldn't cut it they could always go back to ovals and pick up where they left off.

I'm all for Dixon in Williams.... yeah that sounds brilliant!! Perhaps Sam will be the Toyota man to replace Panis, or even get in a Ferrari?!!