Danica Patrick to F1: We'll Watch

Buzz in the motorsports world yesterday was that a female driver is set to, uh, penetrate Formula One. The founders of the new U.S.-based race team USF1 have been tossing around Danica Patrick's name as a candidate for one of its two driver spots. Patrick, the super-popular IndyCar driver (and 2008 SI swimsuit model) says she hasn't been contacted by the team, but is flattered by the suggestion.
USF1 team owners sayt they want the drivers, unlike the car's engine, to be American, which poses a problem of sorts, since an American hasn't won a f1 World Championship since Mario Andretti did it in '78, back when the races were shown on Wide World of Sports. No one expects much from the American team during its first year out. Patrick, at least, could bring American viewers. Like soccer, Formula One is a wildly popular sport overseas, but less so in America, where fans seem to prefer their racers to make only banked left turns. Many American's (even many race fans) have never heard of Lewis Hamilton. Whether or not Patrick has the skills is in question. But she'll bring the fans, which might be enough.