Michel Jourdain Jr. SEAT test successfull

[Net-Ranger]

In past days was announced that ex-Champcar driver Michel Jourdain Jr. get a test with WTCC SEAT team, the test take place today and seems that everything go pretty well for Michel that is exploring a new chance to come back to world class racing after be, like some say, literally trap in a contract with Ford for race in NASCAR only.

From SporCar.com

Jourdain finish successfully his test with WTCC SEAT Team

"I felt very happy with the Team and with the car", he said., "anyway we have to adapt to the terms they use in Spain, because they are diferent to the ones we use in Mexico"(I guess after 15 years racing in US and speak always english with their crew and ingeniers he felt wierd speaking in spanish)

"This is more like to what i was use to, lot of technology, lot's of computers, a more light car in general and with a lot more grip than a Stock car", he explain. "In general the environment is more like F-1, more to what i was used to, like the Champcar days, "It was a long time since i drive a front wheel drive car, but i like it a lot. Is a car that have to be drive very precisely to get the best from it", he add "I'm very excited for this chance and now we have to finish some details, however definetly this is an excelent possibility"


Redacción
SporCar.com

Hope this deal be closed and signed , could be interesting...

[Ranald]

I can't see him being signed to the factory team to be honest. They have already said that they are scaling down there effort to a lower number of cars and I wouldn't have thought they would out him in one of the cars when there are plenty of drivers with more experience than him in S2000 machinery. Maybe we will see him in a privateer car or maybe even an extra factory car at Puebla.

[Net-Ranger]

Originally Posted by Ranald

I can't see him being signed to the factory team to be honest. They have already said that they are scaling down there effort to a lower number of cars and I wouldn't have thought they would out him in one of the cars when there are plenty of drivers with more experience than him in S2000 machinery. Maybe we will see him in a privateer car or maybe even an extra factory car at Puebla.

I agree with you, i see a privateer effort more likely...

anyway it's good news.

[Thommy]

Hmmm: Jourdain for Seat Mexico in WTCC? Sound interesting. I remember a statement by Jame Puig, who has said that there could be more "Coronels" in 2007...

[FIRE]

Would be great to have a non-European driver in WTCC. But I would be surprised to see him full season in WTCC. Only Mexican en maybe Brazilian round is more likely.

[Thommy]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Would be great to have a non-European driver in WTCC. But I would be surprised to see him full season in WTCC. Only Mexican en maybe Brazilian round is more likely.

Just my oppinion...

Hmmm: Seat Guest- Car? For a driver from the country the current event takes place?

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Thommy

Seat Guest- Car? For a driver from the country the current event takes place?

From a marketing point of view, it would probably be a good thing, especially in those countries without a significant presence in the WTCC. However, a good part of each round would be spent getting the guest driver up to speed, who on account of their lack of experience in the car may not be able to fully utilise its potential, which could mean a lack of support for SEAT's championship bid.

[Hazard]

Originally Posted by kipper

From a marketing point of view, it would probably be a good thing, especially in those countries without a significant presence in the WTCC. However, a good part of each round would be spent getting the guest driver up to speed, who on account of their lack of experience in the car may not be able to fully utilise its potential, which could mean a lack of support for SEAT's championship bid.

That said, that pretty much happened this year anyway.

Nogues - Spain, Gruber - Oschersleben, Couto - Macau, (stretching it) Colciago - Monza.

Think they should go for a standard approach next year to risk not blowing it again.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Hazard

That said, that pretty much happened this year anyway.

Nogues - Spain, Gruber - Oschersleben, Couto - Macau, (stretching it) Colciago - Monza.

I take your point, although I guess there is a difference to using a guest car (for want of a better term) at selected races rather than at every round, especially if SEAT do cut down on the number of cars they enter.

That said, I believe Jourdain Jnr. would be a great addition to the championship on either a temporary or permanant basis.