Danica Patrick rules out USF1 drive in 2010

Danica Patrick has all but ruled out switching to Formula One next year.

The 27-year-old American female racer, who currently drives in the United States' premier IndyCar open wheel category, has been linked with the new USF1 team.

But speculation also hints at a NASCAR move for the diminutive Patrick, and when questioned about her plans for 2010 is quoted as saying by the LA Times: "I'd say it's probably not F1".

She said she has little interest in the USF1 outfit, whose principals Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor are targeting American drivers and have named Patrick specifically.

"Not really, and the fact is that to my knowledge they've never called," she revealed.

In 2005, Patrick turned down the offer of a demonstration run in a Formula One car at Indianapolis, and last year Honda chief executive Nick Fry's invitation of a proper test drive reportedly went unanswered.

"I've had opportunities to take it a step further with Formula One, and I don't want to lead anyone down a path. It's not in my heart to go there," Patrick said.

She moved to England in the late 1990s to advance her formative career in open wheelers, but for several years has settled on the American scene.

"I've explored Europe before," Patrick said in Los Angeles. "I particularly like to be here and I like my family and I like my friends and I like my creature comforts of my home country."