Decyphering The American F1 Dream
By Vince Pettit – July 15, 2010

With the failed bid from USF1 it seemed that the American dream to enter a team in to Formula 1 was over for the near future, this was until the Cypher Group came along with their bid.

We caught up with their first driver signing Jonathan Summerton and go the lowdown on the latest bid.

“Cypher Group was formed by a group of championship winning F1 personnel with great drive and many years of experience behind them.” said Summerton talking exclusively to TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk

“They believe the return of the USA is a positive step for Formula 1 as a whole and are working hard to achieve this. I think that a ‘Born in the USA’ team would be a great motivator not only for the United States and it’s Formula 1 fans, but for the whole continent and hopefully bringing more interest and new fans to the sport.”

The failed USF1 entry put a dent in the ‘Born in the USA’ dream but Summerton feels it is different this time around.

“I believe that people should be judged on their own merits and independently of other’s past actions. Cypher has brought together some very dedicated and motivated people who are striving to bring America back into F1. Also the people behind Cypher are very structured in their approach and function more like a conventional F1 Team already. Given their vast F1 experience they know how best to set up, and run a F1 team. They recognise it’s no small task but have stepped up to the plate to give it their best shot!”

We questioned Summerton on the F1 personnel that the team have employed already but the young American gave nothing away.

“For the moment we are concentrating as a team on achieving our common goal. F1 2011. Individual profiles is not what is important at the moment, all that can come out later when we as a team make it as the 13th entry in the FIA Formula One World Championship. They’re not keeping quiet, they’re just concentrating on the task at hand.”

Summerton had been signed as a driver for USF1 but following the demise of the project he has been working hard to get back on track, we asked him how he felt to finally be getting somewhere again.

“It feels great. It just feels right, like I’ve found the perfect place to be. The fans have been really supportive and I hope that Cypher Group and myself will be bringing them much pride and satisfaction in the near future.”

With money playing a major part in Formula 1 we asked if the Cypher Group had already secured backing for 2011.

“Yes, unfortunately money is a harsh reality in many sports. I can only say that the Cypher Group has been in negotiations with many top corporations and individuals and I only hope that more and more will come and help put America back in F1.”

We wish Jonathan and the Cypher Group the best and will keep you updated on their progress over the next few months.

Summerton trusts Cypher can succeed

By Steven English Friday, July 9th 2010, 08:52 GMT

Jonathan SummertonJonathan Summerton is confident that the Cypher Group's plans to enter a United States-based team in Formula 1 can succeed where US F1's attempt failed.

The 22-year-old Florida native is a race winner in Formula 3 and A1GP, and finished runner-up in the 2009 Atlantic series. He has already committed to the Cypher project and believes the group has every chance of getting him onto the F1 grid next season.

Summerton was being lined up for one of the US F1 seats when the team collapsed, and when asked by AUTOSPORT why Cypher will be a success, he said: "Well for a start they're a straight-up group who know what it takes.

"They've said from day one that they won't enter unless they have the funding to do it properly - and that in my eyes goes a long way. They are also a very serious and realistic group of people with world championship experience.

"They're very structured as well, and this is one of the reasons they have maintained a low key - getting all the necessary things in place. I know the efforts they're going to and I'm with them all the way."

He would not confirm rumours that the Cypher Group includes former Brawn GP or US F1 employees, but revealed that the team does have Formula 1 experience in its ranks.

"All I will say is that Cypher Group is not about individuals, they work as a team," Summerton told AUTOSPORT. "There are no egos and they want to focus 100 per cent on the effort of a US-based team in Formula 1.

"Cypher function more like a conventional F1 team already. Because they've done F1 before, they know what it takes and I'm learning from them everyday. It's a great experience to work with people who have so much determination and passion for the motorsport."
[Report from autosport.com]

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Read about Jon's involvement with GIVE KIDS THE WORLD.
 

American Cypher Group targets F1 entry

By Jonathan Noble Thursday, July 8th 2010, 07:49 GMT

The American-based Cypher Group has submitted an official application to join the Formula 1 grid next year, after confirming a tie-up with driver Jonathan Summerton.

Cypher is believed to include former members of the failed Team US F1, who are adamant that the United States is able to produce a competitive grand prix outfit despite failing with the Charlotte-based operation.

In a statement issued overnight - and just hours after ART Grand Prix announced it was pulling out of its plans to move into F1 - Cypher said: "We have officially submitted our candidature and hope that we will shortly be selected by the FIA as the 13th entry in the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. We aspire to bring America's red, white, and blue back into Formula 1."

Summerton, who has raced successfully in F3 and A1GP, had been linked with US F1 and is pushing hard to make the move into grand prix racing.

The Cypher statement added: "Jonathan is capable of racing against the top Formula 1 drivers and we hope to be able to give him a competitive car. We look forward to the opportunity of being on the starting grid in 2011."

Cypher looks set to be going up against Epsilon Euskadi, Stefan GP and Durango for the 13th slot on the F1 grid. The effort is also totally separate from the push by former US F1 representative Parris Mullins to lead American efforts into a tie-up with a current team.

[Report from autosport.com]