05/10/2016
NEWS STORY
Christian Horner admits Americans need a local hero to cheer but there is nobody in the pipeline.
Days after Alexander Rossi committed himself to IndyCar again in 2017, having won the 2016 Indy 500 with Andretti Autosport, and as Haas prepares to become the first home grown team to contest a Grand Prix on American soil since 1986, Christian Horner has poured cold water on hopes of fans having a local hero to cheer on any time soon, certainly as far as his team is concerned.
"There is nobody in the pipeline," he told the official F1 website. "Our system is purely focused on talent and at the moment we haven't discovered any young protege from the US that fits the system.
"Of course we hope that will come in time," he added, "but right now there is nobody on our radar."
All of which will impact the sport, the Briton admits, as new owners seek to expand the sport in America.
"Formula One, as the pinnacle of motorsport, has to have a strong presence in the US," he admitted. "And my fear is that unless we have an American hero - a driver competitive enough to win races - then it will be difficult to galvanize any support."