Wilson at Jaguar!

marcus · 21 Jul 2003, 02:51 (Ref:666761)

on channel Tens coerage of the GP (which incidently stands for Great Prat in England !!!!) our local guys mentioned that justin Wilson may Join the Jaguar team in the next few races.

does anyone know anything about this , i mean earlier this year they had Wurz in the jag and Pizzonia being sent back to the jungle but now this has come out and Wilson could replace Antonio.

Is this a possibility or is it just the rumour mill working overtime again ???

apparently Dr Jonathon Palmer was a guest of jaguar at Silvertsone trying to do the deal.

and if it did go well and he ends up in the seat , wow what a competition between him and Webber it would be , and no offense to Antonio but im guessing Justin would push Mark alot hard than he has , so it could be a good thing to see.

Also if this happens is it just a ploy by Paul Stoddart to offer Wilson to Jaguar on the understanding that he gets some good engines from them for next year or is it something that Wilson and Palmer are working on alone ????

Kicking-back · 21 Jul 2003, 11:28 (Ref:666975)

PA (the press association) reports Justin Wilson is expected be confirmed later today at Jaguar.

It's being held up at the moment by negotiations with Pizzonia over terminating his contract.

Kicking-back · 21 Jul 2003, 11:33 (Ref:666983)

Nicolas Kiesa will drive for Minardi at Hockenheim

Testure · 21 Jul 2003, 11:37 (Ref:666989)

Been reported on a few web sites today, it's still a rumour, though. I'm happy for Wilson, it would be good to see him in a better car, but I still think Pizzonia should see out the season. He was doing just fine at Silverstone... Short-sighted thinking from Jaguar. Unsurprisingly.

Mr V · 21 Jul 2003, 12:04 (Ref:667019)

Ironic that should this happen it will come right after Pizzonia's best showing to date.

PaulSands · 21 Jul 2003, 12:21 (Ref:667039)

BBC ticker says "Jaguar set to unveil Wilson"

903cc · 21 Jul 2003, 12:28 (Ref:667052)

It is on Sky Sports now.

http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/a...097607,00.html

Wrex · 21 Jul 2003, 12:29 (Ref:667054)

Ive been pretty hard on Pizzonia, and still contend his nowhere near Webbers standard. However, I think its ticks that Jaguar wont let him finish the year.

If they pull the pin on him now, his F1 career is probably over. At least let him finish the year, then hopefully he can get some good results and get another drive for next year.

903cc · 21 Jul 2003, 12:31 (Ref:667055)

Too right Wrex. It is not fair on Pizzonia or Wilson and Minardi. Wilson is taking a risk moving mid season but good luck to him. He will have no testing in the Jag before he sits in it on Friday morning at Hockenheim.

**Peter Mallett** · 21 Jul 2003, 12:31 (Ref:667057)

Agreed Wrex but good news for Justin none the less.

Wrex · 21 Jul 2003, 12:49 (Ref:667074)

I'm happy for Justin, but I still think its a gamble. We all know from F3000 that he has the talent to give Mark more than a run for his money, but the team is wrapped up in Webber at the moment, and Marks extra years experience and current form may go against Wilson.

I hope not, as these 2 could be very good team.

PaulSands · 21 Jul 2003, 12:52 (Ref:667077)

I tink there is a fair chance Justin will struggle for the rest of the season but come next season he an Webber will be on even terms

PaulSands · 21 Jul 2003, 12:52 (Ref:667078)

IF it happens of course...lets not jump the gun

**Craig** · 21 Jul 2003, 12:55 (Ref:667082)

Good for Justin --- but what the hell are Jaguar thinking?!

I am a fan of Jungleboy - watched him come through the ranks in Britain and was delighted he finally made it to F1 - but he is still young and, like Sato, needs time to settle into his seat. If Jaguar weren't prepared to give him that time then what the hell were they doing signing him?

THEY took the risk that he would be fast right away so THEY should give him the support needed when it proved he needed more time.

Sorry Jaguar - but you're out of order if this comes to be.

PaulSands · 21 Jul 2003, 12:57 (Ref:667086)

They do have a bit of history being out of order (Rahal/Lauda)

**Craig** · 21 Jul 2003, 12:59 (Ref:667090)

Which is worth remembering if you're a boss at Jaguar - do you really want to get this sort of reputation? Surely you'd prefer that up and coming young drivers were prepared to stake their career on your team rather than turn you down just in case you don't stick to your word and kick them out at the first sign of trouble...?

Super Tourer · 21 Jul 2003, 13:02 (Ref:667092)

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=23931&s=5

It is happening, it seems.

cos · 21 Jul 2003, 13:02 (Ref:667093)

It's on Autosport.com now - full story to follow it says. I expect Kiesa or Bruni at Minardi.

PaulSands · 21 Jul 2003, 13:03 (Ref:667097)

I suppose the Pizzonia Webber deal was one of Lauda's final acts so maybe the new crew are trying to stamp their own signature on the line up

**Craig** · 21 Jul 2003, 13:04 (Ref:667098)

Shame they couldn't find room for Pizzonia at Minardi... would have taken a little of the bad taste out of the situation.

cos · 21 Jul 2003, 13:05 (Ref:667099)

Yes, Pizzonia hasn't been that bad, let's face it. Still, great news for Justin

I think a mod can remove the ? from this thread title now!

**Adam43** · 21 Jul 2003, 13:12 (Ref:667104)

Well I think it's a shame that they are getting rid of Pizzonia. It's a shame Jaguar couldn't honour his drive until the end of the year.

Good for Wilson, don't get me wrong, but a little scrupples wouldn't go a miss. Especially as they has destroyed Pizzonia's career. Still it's hardly as if Jaguar are in it for the racing, fun , sport or dignity is it?

Go on then cos ? replaced with !

cos · 21 Jul 2003, 13:13 (Ref:667105)

Here's the blurb from Jaguar:

Quote:

To the great regret of Jaguar Racing, Antonio Pizzonia has not been able to realise his potential with the team over the past eleven races. Jaguar Racing therefore has decided that it is neither in his best interests, nor in the team’s, for Antonio to continue to driving as full time race driver at this time. In an effort to continue supporting Antonio’s development, however, Jaguar Racing has offered him the opportunity to remain with the team as reserve and test driver.

Agreement has been reached with Minardi F1 to allow Justin Wilson to complete the 2003 season with Jaguar Racing. This is an agreement for the remainder of the 2003 season only, with options for future years that provide Jaguar Racing with additional choices for 2004.

David Pitchforth, Managing Director, Jaguar Racing: We are delighted to have Justin join us for the remainder of the 2003 season in what is a richly deserved opportunity. In the Jaguar R4, we clearly have a competitive car and one that has helped Mark Webber secure twelve points thereby taking the team to 6th place in the Constructor’s Championship. With five races left on the calendar, it is critical that we are maximising our potential with two race cars.

Pizzonia as reserve/test driver? What about Davidson?

garcon · 21 Jul 2003, 13:13 (Ref:667106)

I guess there's a $$$ issue there, but it would have been nice if Jaguar could seen their way to put enough in the deal to finance Pizzonia at Minardi for the rest of the season.

Of course, that could backfire on Jaguar if Pizzonia then resumed his normal position - just in front of Wilson!

Mal · 21 Jul 2003, 13:13 (Ref:667107)

It is confirmed now on Autosport with a statement from Jaguar

edit: You beat me to it cos; see statement above

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