NEWS // PETER WINDSOR BACKS UP LOPEZ DECISION

Earlier this week, the USF1 team confirmed Jose Maria Lopez as their first driver for the much anticipated 2010 Formula One season. Following the announcement, the blogosphere erupted with comments suggesting that Lopez was unfit for F1 and that his seat came only because of an association with USF1 vice president, Peter Windsor... [read more]

When asked about Lopez, his inexperience and what prompted the USF1 brass to select him over other candidates, Windsor had this to say:

“We’ve been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 and we’re thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One. Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader. The most revealing thing about his character was how he handled the disappointment of not racing for Renault after three years of testing with them in F1. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for himself, he returned to Argentina and totally dominated the local scene, winning 38 races and three championships. He became a major star as a result and, in turn, the Argentine nation – a country where F1 is second only to soccer – has got behind him.”

Formerly part of the Renault Driver Development program, 2006 was Lopez’ last season in GP2, where the Argentinian faced a rather tough field of competitors to include Lewis Hamilton (who would go on to win the championship that year), Nelson Piquet Jr., and Timo Glock. And while Lopez was able to qualify well for many of the races that season, he often found himself a backmarker, and was forced to watch the soon-to-be F1 drivers battle it out for the championship.

The real question however, is not how well Lopez will do at USF1, but who will fill their second seat. An experienced driver will not only help the teams chances of seeing the podium in 2010, but will also provide Lopez with a mentor, someone to inspire the young Argentinean and provide him with a bit of feedback, the kind a team principal, especially one who has never been an F1 pilot himself, would otherwise be unable to provide.

Photo: Renault
Info: USF1
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey