JUNE 8, 2004

Rahal - an American who wants to be in Formula 1

Bobby Rahal drove in Formula 1 back in the 1970s and a few years ago tried his hand at team management with Jaguar Racing. Rahal's time in F1 was not a happy time and in the end he departed the team, the victim of the politcal infighting which plagued the team at the time.

Bobby Rahal drove in Formula 1 back in the 1970s and a few years ago tried his hand at team management with Jaguar Racing. Rahal's time in F1 was not a happy time and in the end he departed the team, the victim of the politcal infighting which plagued the team at the time. Since then he has been building up his teams in America and recently won the Indianapolis 500 with driver Buddy Rice. Bobby is also keeping a close eye on the career of his 15-year-old son Graham, who is one of six US drivers who have been picked to receive scholarships in Formula BMW USA.

Rahal has been racing in karts for four years before switching to cars this year and on the day before the Indianapolis 500 he made his debut at Lime Rock, finishing 10th. Time will tell whether the youngster has what it takes to be in F1 but the ambition is clearly there. Rahal will have his first chance to show off his skills to the F1 teams at Indianapolis in 10 days from now when he takes part in the Formula BMW USA events supporting the United States Grand Prix.