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Exhaust Notes for May 1, 2008

Danica Patrick F1 TestPatrick Interested in F1 Test – IndyCar race winner Danica Patrick has set her sights on a Formula One test, with Honda Racing confirming they would be interested in running the Andretti-Green Racing driver. Patrick’s maiden victory at Motegi has prompted fresh speculation about her future, with Honda being an obvious candidate to consider her because the Japanese manufacturer supplies her engines.

Speaking to this week’s Autosport, Patrick confirmed that she was interested in a run in an F1 car, but only if it was a serious test. “Every driver would love to drive a Formula One car at some point in their life, so yeah,” she said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a real, proper test.

“I was asked to do a demonstration lap at Indy in 2005, and I said, ‘No way. You’re making me a show. That’s embarrassing.’ But I would say that a real test is absolutely something I would do.”

Honda Racing F1 CEO Nick Fry has admitted that his team would seriously consider running Patrick for a test, although made it clear no discussions have taken place about the matter. “We haven’t instigated anything, but if Danica wanted to be test driver then we’d be more than happy to talk about it,” he explained.

[Source: Autosport.com]

 

Grand Prix Masters Series Set for Revival – The defunct Grand Prix Masters series that pitted Formula One stars of the past against each other is set for a revival.

The Masters concept, which held three events in 2005-06, is being revived by a group that hopes to run a short winter program of events starting in September or October 2008. The new group purchased the Masters’ fleet of 15 cars and is finalizing a deal with an investor to make the series happen. Jacques Villeneuve, 1997 F1 world champion, wants to compete.

“I watched one of the first races on TV and thought that it would be great to compete against a guy like Nigel Mansell,” Villeneuve said. “If it happens, I really want to be part of it. If for some reason I can’t do it, I still want it to happen so that I can sit down and watch it on TV.”

[Source: AutoWeek.com]