18 Dec: Japanese
driver Takuma Sato has returned to BAR after being released from
Jordan. The move was expected since Honda ended their engine supply deal with
the Jordan team earlier this year. Sato signed a 3 year deal with BAR becoming
a reserve driver in 2003 with an option for a race seat in 2004 and 2005.
Sato is happy about returning to BAR and said "It’s a shame that I can’t
race for Jordan next season but I leave the team on good terms and I don’t
see testing for BAR as a step backwards. I want to be with a team where my
driving ability is the most important consideration rather than other factors.
2003 will give me the opportunity to assist with the development of the car,
which is very important to my own development as an F1 driver. I had very
little testing in the second half of 2002 and mileage is extremely important
in Formula 1 because the cars are full of technology and it takes time to find
improvements.
BAR is a different team to the one I knew before and from what I see, the
changes are definitely for the better. I’m very excited about working with
them and I feel very positive that this is the best move for me."
Team boss David Richards said "We are delighted to welcome Takuma
back. He did a great job testing for us in 2001 and his year racing for Jordan
has given him much-needed experience. Most importantly however, I believe Taku
is the brightest talent to have emerged from Japan to date and he is in
Formula One on merit, as he confirmed with his exciting performance in this
year’s Japanese Grand Prix.
Obviously, having a Japanese driver greatly assists with our direct
communication with the Japanese engineers at Honda and continues to develop
our seamless link between the two companies."
Jordan's team boss Eddie Jordan thanked Sato for his services and said
"Takuma Sato has natural driving talent and a lot of bravery. We had an
eventful and exciting season together this year. I have every confidence in
him and I hope he will build on the ability that we saw demonstrated in Suzuka
- perhaps one of the best drives of the season. I would like to extend my
thanks to Takuma and the Honda Dream programme."
Jordan have yet to announce who will partner
Giancarlo Fisichella next season. Eddie Irvine, Felipe Massa and Enrique
Bernoldi are rumoured to be the hot candidates.
18 Dec:
Minardi announced the signing of Justin Wilson as one of their
drivers for the 2003 season. Wilson signed a 3 year deal with Minardi. He said
" Like most young racing drivers, the ultimate aim has to be to reach
Formula One. That dream has now become reality, but I probably still won’t
quite believe it’s happened until I get behind the wheel of the new Minardi
for the first time. A great many people have helped me to get to this point in
my motor racing career, but I particularly want to thank my father, Keith, for
his wholehearted support and encouragement, Jonathan Palmer, for his valuable
guidance and advice, and Paul Stoddart, for giving me the chance to show what
I can do in Formula One with Minardi. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,
and I intend to make the most of it."
Team boss Paul Stoddart said "Following a successful seat-fitting
a few weeks ago at Faenza, where we ascertained that Justin would be
comfortable in next year’s Minardi chassis, we have been working closely
with his management representatives in a bid to sort out arrangements that
would allow him to drive for the team next season. I am therefore delighted to
announce that we have signed a three-year contract with Justin that will see
him driving for Minardi in 2003, and beyond.
Justin is an exceptionally gifted young driver whose career we have been
following for some time. I’m convinced he will quickly prove that he has a
very bright future ahead of him in Formula One, just as Minardi drivers
Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber did before him. Combined with our new chassis
and Cosworth engine package, I believe today’s announcement indicates the
team’s overall level of competitiveness will rise significantly in 2003, in
line with the five-year plan laid down for Minardi at the beginning of
2001."
Minardi have yet to name their second driver
who is widely speculated to be Jos Verstappen.
2 Dec: The FIA have
announced the 2003 Formula 1 Entry List. Missing from the entry list was the
Arrows team. The FIA indicated that they have received an entry from the
Arrows team but declined it. No reason was given.
All the remaining 10 teams have confirmed their driver line-ups with the
exception of Minardi who have yet to announce both their drivers and Jordan
who have yet to decide on whether to retain Takuma Sato or replace him.
No.
Driver
Team
Constructor
1.
Michael Schumacher
Scuderia
Ferrari Marlboro
Ferrari
2.
Rubens Barrichello
3.
Juan Pablo Montoya
BMW
Williams F1 Team
Williams
BMW
4.
Ralf Schumacher
5.
David Coulthard
West
McLaren Mercedes
McLaren
Mercedes
6.
Kimi Raikkonen
7.
Jarno Trulli
Mild
Seven Renault F1 Team
Renault
8.
Fernando Alonso
9.
Nick Heidfeld
Sauber
Petronas
Sauber
Petronas
10.
Heinz Harald Frentzen
11.
Giancarlo Fisichella
Jordan
Ford
Jordan
Ford
12.
TBA
14.
Mark Webber
Jaguar
Racing
Jaguar
Cosworth
15.
Antonio Pizzonia
16.
Jacques Villeneuve
Lucky
Strike BAR Honda
BAR
Honda
17.
Jenson Button
18.
TBA
TBA
Minardi TBA
Minardi
Cosworth
19.
TBA
20.
Olivier Panis
Panasonic
Toyota Racing
Toyota
21.
Cristiano da Matta
2
Dec: Minardi announced an engine supply agreement with Cosworth
for the 2003 season with future options. Minardi becomes the 3rd team on the
grid for 2003 to be powered by a Cosworth engine. Jaguar and Jordan are the
other 2. It isn't clear though what specification would Minardi be getting
from Cosworth.
Team Principal Paul Stoddart was delighted with the deal and said
"The KL Minardi team is extremely pleased to have concluded an agreement
with Cosworth Racing, which sees the company become our official engine
partner for 2003. The decision renews valued links the team has built up with
Ford and Cosworth Racing over the years, and will provide KL Minardi with what
is clearly the most competitive power unit in its 19-year history in Formula
One. In combination with the latest chassis, I’m sure we will have a very
strong package for next season." Bernard Ferguson, Commercial Director at Cosworth said "We at
Cosworth Racing are delighted to be working with Minardi again. We have
enjoyed a strong relationship over the years, which has been built on mutual
trust and respect. I am sure the team is set to go from strength to strength,
and we are proud to be the engine of choice at this exciting time for
Minardi."
The first Cosworth V10 engine will be delivered to Minardi shortly.
2
Dec: It appears that the Arrows team will not take part in
the 2003 championship. The FIA declined their application for entry but didn't
state the reasons publicly.
Arrows have been in financial problems this year and have failed to show up at
a number of Grands Prix towards the end of the season.
The team made two announcements regarding securing financial backing but it
seems that both failed to materialise.
