'F1? Well, if Ferrari called...' - Indy darling Danica

Published Jun 17, 2005

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Indianapolis, Indiana - American racer Danica Patrick, suddenly a female star of IndyCar racing in the US this season, says she's in no rush to break into Formula 1.

She was in the paddock here on Thursday ahed of this weekend's US GP.

Patrick made a high-profile return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway where she posted the highest female Indianapolis 500 finish - fourth - in May but, rather than admitting a desperate desire to join the F1 circus, shd said:

"I'm very happy where I am driving in the IRL - I think it's a great championship.

"I love the States but I would never say no to Formula 1. You have to be open to all opportunities but you'd have to know you were running for a top team just like I'm running for top team in IRL."

Patrick, at Indianapolis to drive a Honda road car around the speedway for her sponsors, confirmed she had not personally discussed her future with any F1 team but it is understood that F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone is keen to steer her F1-wards because of the publicity that could follow a female American racer.

Patrick, however, admitted she would have to continue to prove her talent, especially on the more relevant road courses, during this year's IRL season before any teams came knocking at her door.

"Ferrari is one of the teams that, if it came looking for me, would make me start wondering what you were going to do with your life back home.

"I have no schedule. Opportunities will arrive when they arrive and I will deal with them as they come. I think when you do well and when you are successful things take care of themselves."

Patrick was suddenly in the spotlight after her success in the Indianapolis race, which she led before losing out to Briton Dan Wheldon, and has been surprised by the increased media attention.

She was surrounded by a crowd of journalists and TV cameras at a mini-media conference in the Indianapolis paddock hosted by last year's championship F1 runner-up BAR-Honda.

However, she has been even more surprised by the reaction of motorsport fans since her Indy success.

"When I started racing at 10 years old I didn't even watch a lot of racing. I remember always watching the Indy 500 every year on TV. I was a very normal kid, I did cheerleading, basketball, choir - you name it, I tried it.

"It wasn't until a year or two into my career that I started to realise there was racing outside my little kart track. I started watching more IndyCar racing but I wasn't able to get up and stay up late enough to watch F1.

"When I went to England to race, in the three years that I was there, I was dead set on racing in F1. I followed it, I knew everything about it, and I was out of touch with IndyCars.

"But, as time wore on, I knew there were different ways to be successful, to be where you wanted to be. I'm glad I'm in IRL and I love being here. I have so much fun." - Sapa-AFP

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