Competition.(Formula One race lacks American drivers)

Seeking Americans for F1

* Disappointed that no Americans compete in Formula One? Energy drink maker Red Bull and former F1 pilot and Indy 500 winner Danny Sullivan want to change that. The Red Bull Formula One Academy, a ladder system for American drivers, is a five-year program, blessed by F1 czar Bernie Ecclestone, to seek out and cultivate talented American drivers.

``We will look at everything, everyone,'' Sullivan said. ``We have a lot of good kids who want to go to Formula One, but many are instead choosing NASCAR. They don't know how to get to F1. This deal will give an American a foot in the Formula One door.''

Sullivan, with the help of scouts, will identify U.S. drivers and invite them to Europe, at Red Bull's expense, to compete at a selected track. ``Believe me: If the drivers have talent, we will find them.''

The evaluation, he says, will be based on more than just quick lap times: Drivers will also be graded on desire, motivation, work ethic and marketability. Every driver selected will also go to the Red Bull training facility in Austria for physical strength and endurance evaluation.

As many as a dozen drivers will go to Europe toward the end of October. Drivers will meet British and German F3 team owners, as well as owners in Formula Ford, selected team managers, sponsors and media. ``If a driver can't handle the sponsors or the press, then he'd better be two seconds a lap faster than everyone else because he won't be selected,'' says Sullivan.

Ultimately, four drivers will be chosen to compete in junior formula events or British and German F3, stepping stones to F1.