Patrick rules out F1 move

The IndyCar Series frontrunner, whose contract with Andretti Green Racing expires at the end of this season, is mulling over her options for 2010.

She could choose to remain in IndyCar, or make the switch to NASCAR, but it appears she has rejected trying to make the move to F1.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Patrick was asked if she had narrowed down her search into a specific category and responded: "I'd say it's probably not F1."

Team US F1 has made it clear that it wants American drivers on board for next year, but Patrick claims the team has not made contact with her.

"I've had opportunities to take it a step further with Formula 1, and I don't want to lead anyone down a path," she said. "It's not in my heart to go there. I've explored Europe before.

"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."

Patrick said that at the moment her mind was open about what she would do in the future.

"At the end of the day I've got to go with my gut about what I want to do," she said.

"At the end of the day the team has to make sense, the deal's got to make sense; the progression has to make sense. I might race IndyCar and never go to NASCAR at all. I'm not really sure right now. We'll see."

Speculation in the IndyCar paddock suggests that if Patrick chooses to remain in the series rather than switching to NASCAR, she is likely to leave the currently struggling AGR team and move to champion squad Ganassi.