Jonathan Summerton described his chances of making the 2010 Formula One grid as “very good” in a post on his personal website. Apart from the actual title of his website, which writes “The next American Formula One champion”, the former A1 GP World Cup of Motorsports contender expressed his hopes of being picked by US GPE next season.
“I think my chances are very good,” told Summerton the Autoweek publication earlier this week.
In a recent interview with British publication Autosport, Peter Windsor said the chances of US GPE fielding two American youngsters next year are close to zero because most of them lack the necessary super license to get into the series. Under the circumstances, Summerton (if picked) would most likely partner a non-American driver, with plenty of more experience in F1 racing and ready to help the team build a performing car next season.
Since the team announced that the development of the car is going ahead as planned, it is expected that the US GPE challenger will be ready by the end of 2009. Therefore, the team has to make up their minds on a complete lineup quickly enough so the drivers will have the chance to properly test the cars during the winter break.
As confirmed by Summerton in the same interview, it seems the North Carolina-based team is to make that announcement in a few weeks.
Summerton, 21, used to drive in several European-based single-seater series - European F3, A1GP – as well as North American ones – Formula Atlantic and Indy Lights series. Also, he scored A1 Team USA's first ever win in the World Cup of Motorsport, at Shanghai. This year, he contested in the Firestone Indy Lights Series until the end of May, after which he switched to Atlantics races with Genoa Racing.
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