Dan Wheldon to announce 2006 F1 drive - Third Driver?

StickShift · 30 Oct 2005, 17:26 (Ref:1447675)

Robin Miller at SpeedTV has revealed that Dan Wheldon will announce on Tuesday that he has signed a contract with an F1 team for a 2006 drive. Both Speed and Autosport.com suggest that it is likely with Williams, but that it could be with Honda.

Quote:

Wheldon's F1 deal is done
[...]

The Briton's contract with his Andretti Green Racing team runs out next week (November 1) and there had been speculation for several months that he was pondering a switch to F1.

According to speedtv.com, Wheldon will now sign a deal to become a Formula One test driver on Tuesday. The deal will see him become a third driver next season prior to a race deal for 2007.

Although the identity of the team has not been revealed, Wheldon has been strongly linked with both Williams and BAR. The latter team is powered by Honda, whom Wheldon has driven for in the IRL.

[...]

He's going about it the proper way if he wants a race seat in 2007. I just hope that we the fans don't hype him into a Friday superstar before he's even had a meaningful race (See Davidson, De La Rosa, Wurz, etc...)

luke · 30 Oct 2005, 17:31 (Ref:1447678)

He was champion but his sites are set on F1, interesting to see who replaces his boots or they just field three cars (andretti-green).

BootsOntheSide · 30 Oct 2005, 17:43 (Ref:1447687)

Interesting that he's decided to pursue this, I hope it goes well for him. The only question is, can either of those teams realistically promise him ar ace drive for 2007, no matter how well he does?

Silk Cut Jaguar · 30 Oct 2005, 17:56 (Ref:1447707)

A year of testing is ideal really as in 2007 there should be more free seats available than there are at the moment. Having some experience might play into his race negotiations.

Nintendo · 30 Oct 2005, 18:00 (Ref:1447709)

Hmm, indy car switching has only worked twice. he should be careful.

**Adam43** · 30 Oct 2005, 18:11 (Ref:1447730)

Well there have only been two world champions who have come over from Indycar racing, but there have been quite a few other decent cross-overs.

Besides I think it might be a misconseption. What percentage of F3000 drivers came over and it 'worked'?

BootsOntheSide · 30 Oct 2005, 18:20 (Ref:1447740)

Only 3 of the 19 F3000 champions have won F1 races, so that's a good point. Also, you have to wonder waht was the biggest factor in JPM's Formula 1 success - the CART experience or the F3000 experience?

StickShift · 30 Oct 2005, 18:33 (Ref:1447755)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Only 3 of the 19 F3000 champions have won F1 races, so that's a good point. Also, you have to wonder waht was the biggest factor in JPM's Formula 1 success - the CART experience or the F3000 experience?

Or the extensive testing that he did prior to leaving for America. He was a well seasoned driver before his first Formula 1 season.

**Adam43** · 30 Oct 2005, 18:35 (Ref:1447756)

Which seems to be the plan with Wheldon.

Nado · 30 Oct 2005, 18:37 (Ref:1447761)

I don't think BAR's in a position to promise a race drive in 2007, Williams on the hand... but that means Webber's getting screwed already.

Nado · 30 Oct 2005, 19:04 (Ref:1447784)

And I think this is the difference between Weldon and Bourdais. He really wants it, and will work for it by being a test/friday driver.

cos · 30 Oct 2005, 19:17 (Ref:1447789)

From Robin Miller's [url=http://speedtv.com/articles/formulaone/auto/20461/article[/url]:

Quote:

Asked if he was headed for Williams, the 26-year-old native of Emberton, England replied: "That's not true."

Then, he added: "But you're on the right track."

Methinks it's not Williams but BMW...

Mr V · 30 Oct 2005, 19:37 (Ref:1447800)

Quote:

Originally Posted by StickShift

Or the extensive testing that he did prior to leaving for America. He was a well seasoned driver before his first Formula 1 season.

Maybe, but there were 2 seasons between his last test drive and coming back for Williams, F1 moves on a lot in 2 seasons.

Fiorentina 1 · 30 Oct 2005, 21:44 (Ref:1447901)

I hope he gets a race drive, not just Friday test driver. But, if that's what he wants, then cool. At least he can say that he walked away from IRL in 1 piece, with an Indy 500 win & championship under his belt, which is more then a lot of people have. Best of luck man, in whatever you do next season!

At the end of the day, if it is a Friday test driver deal, then it leaves the door open for him to go back to Indy to defend the title!

luke · 30 Oct 2005, 22:23 (Ref:1447932)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cos

From Robin Miller's [url=http://speedtv.com/articles/formulaone/auto/20461/article[/url]:

Methinks it's not Williams but BMW...

BAR has been suggested and the Honda connection.

cos · 30 Oct 2005, 23:06 (Ref:1447969)

I don't think he'll end up at the BAR - they'll have their hands full with Button, Rubens, Sato, Davidson? and Rossiter

2112 · 30 Oct 2005, 23:06 (Ref:1447970)

I think Sir Frank is giving a fellow countryman a shot at F1.
It will be interesting to see if being a test driver will keep Wheldon happy. I`m sure he has some Danica Fatigue right now.

mac · 31 Oct 2005, 00:44 (Ref:1447997)

Wheldon was not exactly spectacular on IRL's road courses. He was solid, but there were others there that stood out from the pack more.

I personally don't see his IRL performances as a reason for hiring him in F1.

If you stick him in a car for a test and he flies however ........

Louis B. · 31 Oct 2005, 00:47 (Ref:1448000)

He is linked, apparently by deduction, to BMW. See:

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns15869.html

We should know by Wednesday (his option with his current IRL team expiring on Tuesday).

josvandeperre · 31 Oct 2005, 11:42 (Ref:1448278)

There is some suggestion over here that he will be announced tomorrow to test with Honda B in 2006

Nintendo · 31 Oct 2005, 11:46 (Ref:1448284)

Wheldon should stay in america. f1 is too risky.

**Adam43** · 31 Oct 2005, 11:47 (Ref:1448287)

He's a racing driver, I suspect he doesn't mind risk.

Nintendo · 31 Oct 2005, 11:50 (Ref:1448289)

A fair point, but it's a risky career move. he should try and get some testing experiecen before he makes the jump. In hindsight if zanardi had stayed in f1, he wouldn't have had the accident at the lauzitsring. That has nothing to do with anything, i know, but still, career moves can bring unexected twists.

Kicking-back · 31 Oct 2005, 11:51 (Ref:1448290)

Er, he's making the jump to get testing experience!

Nintendo · 31 Oct 2005, 11:53 (Ref:1448293)

I mean experience between cart events if he can, so he can fully make up his mind.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Porsche/Penske announce 2006 Lineup	vwpilot	Sportscar & GT Racing	18	27 Nov 2005 21:38
2005 Champion Dan Wheldon Leaves IRL for F1 Friday Test Drive	StickShift	IRL Indycar Series	20	3 Nov 2005 00:04
Jordan announce new driver	Stephen Green	Formula One	101	3 Feb 2005 18:50
Proton announce second driver	redshoes	Touring Car Racing	28	5 Feb 2004 09:30