Gene Haas Thinks Danica Patrick To F1 Would Be Successful
USA Today Sports
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Danica Patrick is currently in her second full-time season on NASCAR’s grandest stage. While the transition to NASCAR has been a bumpy one, Patrick is taken great strides only 14 races into the 2014 season. As Patrick continues to improve on the track questions continue to swirl about her racing future from those off the the track.
USA Today Sports
Earlier this season it was announced that Gene Haas was going to start a F1 team in 2015. It was later announced that his team would debut in 2016 rather than 2015. When the announcement first came down all eyes fell onto Tony Stewart and Danica Patrick. Both drivers have previous open-wheel experience and both drivers currently race with Haas in NASCAR. While those rumors and thoughts have since died down, Haas may have turned them back up at least for Patrick this weekend.
In a FOX Sports article, Haas was quoted after qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix. Haas was asked about whether or not Patrick would be a good candidate to run for him in F1 in 2016.
"I think she would. I think she would. She would bring an awful lot of viewership. I think it would be great for America. I think she would be a great candidate. Whether that’s going to happen or not … that’s, that’s, that’s … you know I think that’s kind of a long shot there, too."
Although Patrick might be a good candidate, one would have to imagine that she would want to find success in Sprint Cup before doing something else. Some folks seem to forget that she is only 14 races removed from her rookie season in the sport.
Haas also hit the nail on the head when he talked about the viewership that Patrick could bring in. Patrick is a media and marketing machine. As a result of this any company that lands her as a spokesperson is partner is quite lucky. One of the most recent companies to pair with Patrick is Can-Am Spyder.
Courtesy of Can-Am Spyder
The Can-Am Spyder is new kind of vehicle that may look like a motorcycle but is nothing like one. The unique Y frame design and third wheel of the Spyder gives riders all of the exhilaration of open-air riding but with confidence and control that only the Y frame design can provide.
Patrick was recently asked about the Can-Am Spyder and she had the following to say;
"I first tried the Can-Am Spyder in Long Beach, CA in a closed track and I had a blast. I couldn’t believe how much fun to ride it was. The Can-Am Spyder feels easy to drive. Its stability system gives you confidence. I simply had a blast!"
The Can-Am Spyder is just one example of the many projects that Patrick is a part of off of the track. If you would like to find out more information about the Can-Am Spyder you can visit their Twitter page @OfficialSpyder. If you wish to find a Can-Am Spyder dealer near you, you can do so by visiting their Spyder Dealerships page.
What are your thoughts about Patrick and F1? If she did make the move would her marketing abilities help the sport? Feel free to share your thoughts below.
Christopher Olmstead is the Editor of BeyondTheFlag.com on the FanSided Network. Follow us on Twitter @Beyond_The_Flag and “Like” us on Facebook.