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(Reuters) - Formula
One is working with teams to identify U.S. drivers who might
make it to grand prix racing but none are likely to come through
in the near term, chief executive Stefano Domenicali said on
Friday.
The most recent was Alexander Rossi who started five races with
a highest placing of 12th for the now-defunct Marussia team in
2015 before leaving to go on and win the Indianapolis 500 as a
rookie in 2016.
"We are working with teams to try to understand what is really
the possibility for American drivers to come to the attention of
Formula One teams in the short-term," Domenicali told analysts
on a first quarter earnings call.
"I don’t see that, being very pragmatic and realistic, coming in
the next two or three years but maybe after."
Liberty Media-owned Formula One sees the United States as a
major market for growth and is adding a second race next year in
Miami, along with the existing grand prix in Austin, Texas.
"I know there are teams watching the good drivers that, if they
are ready, would be a big boost for the American fans," said
Domenicali.
"The people want to see these guys. Therefore the hope that we
have is that very, very soon we have American drivers competing
against all the others in the Formula One championship."
Haas and Williams both have U.S. owners while U.S.-based
investment group MSP Sports Capital have a significant minority
stake in McLaren.
Two Americans have won the Formula One world championship since
the first in 1950 -- Phil Hill in 1961 and Mario Andretti in
1978.
Mercedes' seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton spends
plenty of time in the United States while Netflix has brought
the sport to new audiences with its 'Drive to Survive'
documentary series.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Christian
Radnedge)
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