Is a change of team what AJ needs?

[Down F0rce]

We've all heard the rumours that a few teams were after the services of AJ Foyt IV. I found this hard to believe, quite frankly because I don't rate AJ very highly. 2003 was a flop. This year he showed some speed, put in some very good qualifying performances actually, but his races were lacking. He crashed more often than not. If not he was lapped. Texas II was the best result, 10th place and he was on the led lap for the first time. But that still begs the question, why would anyone want him?

Then I thought of Mark Taylor. He had a pretty shoddy start too. Crashed a lot. Didn't even get a change to be lapped most of the time. Then he was sacked of course...and returns with Access. And, all of a sudden, starts putting in some great drives, even looking downright racey...the change of team did him good.

His grandfather isn't exactly the best person for work for after all. Would a less pressured environment bring something out in him? Mark must have been under pressure to perform from Panther...two time champions of course...then a move to Access bring some more consistent performances and good results.

So...on to the question. Would a change of team for AJ bring similar results?

[GP Racer]

Good question DF.

I pretty much felt the same way about AJ, but towards the end of the year he really seemed to kick it up a notch. I heard that his grandfather had hired an engineer towards the end of the season, so if thats true, that may have helped some. But no matter what, the fact is, he was better and showed some hopeful signs.

Obviously he is doing something right out there, because team owners are noticing him and are expressing interest. Maybe they want him for his marketability, and name. What team owner wouldn't want a superstar driver with the Foyt name?

[BSchneiderFan]

The cynical might suggest it's a change of career he needs.

[BootsOntheSide]

I don't think you get full motivation when you're driving for a relative. Also, Foyt seems the least capable of putting a competitive car out there, looking at his team's form in recent years. He's certainly done better than you'd expect the team to do at times this year. Who knows what he'd do in another team?

[kingfloopy]

I think that its probally the team that is lousy more than the driver. I think if AJ IV could get with a lot better team than his grandads he could probally be pretty impressive. He seems to try really hard but has no equipment to back him up. I think the same could be said of Larry Foyt in NASCAR. He ran absolutely awful until he drove someone elses car. I don't know what's wrong with the team, but I would put most of the blame there.

J.D.

[JohnSSC]

Unfortunately it seems (to me, anyway) that every minute AJ spends as an owner detracts from the icon status he so richly deserves from his accomplishments as a driver.

AJ IV or MMXXLIV or whatever would benefit from driving for a "regular" team - you know, with race engineers and the other acoutremont (sic) that seems to be lacking in AJ's current team structure.
editorial note: I am just having a heck of a time spelling here - is it because I am writing about a Texan???

[climb]

You're basically right DF.
His grandpa protection is not doing him good.