Yoong out of F1!!!!

steve nielsen · 20 Aug 2002, 16:33 (Ref:362171)

Yoong Has Three Races... Or Less

Paul Stoddart confirms Alex Yoong won't be a Minardi driver in 2003
20/08/02

MINARDI boss Paul Stoddart has dealt the final blow to Alex Yoong's F1 career. The Aussie owner of the European Minardi team has said Malaysia's first ever F1 driver won't get a drive with his team in 2003.

And judging from comments made by Stoddart it seems unlikely that Justin Wilson or Anthony Davidson will be heading to the team either.

Stoddart told German sports news agency SID: "We are looking for an experienced driver for next season and one from the US."

Which puts ex-ChampCar driver Bryan Herta firmly in the frame to be the first American driver in Formula 1 since Michael Andretti drove for McLaren in 1993.

Herta, currently driving Panoz sportscars in the States, had a test drive in last year's PS01 when he attended Minardi's Thunder In The Park event the weekend before the Hungarian GP.

It also resurrects Stoddart's wish to get former Arrows driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen at the team. When Frentzen lost his drive with Prost through the team's insolvency early on in the year, Stoddart tried to get the experienced German to sign for Minardi.

One thing that Stoddart is certain about is Yoong's future. "Alex will definitely not be getting a contract for next year." Yoong has failed to qualify at three grands prix and struggled to make any impact on the sport while Minardi's other driver, Mark Webber, is likely to be leaving the team for Jaguar in 2003.

Stoddart is almost certain to lose a raft of Malaysian sponsors in ditching Yoong, but is bullish about the team's finances.

Stoddart added: "We are in negotiations with new investors and it looks as if a budget increase for next season is closer than ever."

www.planet-f1.com

Jay · 20 Aug 2002, 16:36 (Ref:362173)

Go Bryan Herta! Oddly my best memory of him was in the paddock at Toronto, saying something uncomplementary about Americans, turning around and seeing him clad in white sponsorless overalls, with nobody paying any attention to him at all... almost felt sorry for him.

freud · 20 Aug 2002, 16:47 (Ref:362177)

well, what happened is not surprising at all...

Jordi · 20 Aug 2002, 16:51 (Ref:362179)

Yes. Who was expecting to see Yoong back?
Let's see if Herta gets the drive and impresses.

Down F0rce · 20 Aug 2002, 16:54 (Ref:362183)

i really really really hope Herta gets the drive. id like to see Frentzen and Herta in a Ferrari powerd minardi, and with Minardi having a reputation of giving us great talents (Alonso, Trulli, Fisichella, Webber) it would be an idea for Ferrari having Minardi as the Ferrari "C" team

Liz · 20 Aug 2002, 16:56 (Ref:362187)

I saw Herta give an interview at Le Mans. He is certainly very American. But he isn't afraid to be forthright either; he said "We are a step behind Audi" when asked how competitive the Panoz cars were, and then went on to say hopeful things about their progress.

Herta has done well in sports cars although I have never seen him trackside talking to fans.

I hope he enjoys the drive if he gets it. That will put him one up on some other people who have only driven in one series. He and Mario can exchange notes.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2002, 17:07 (Ref:362195)

Poor Alex Yoong ! Another Ricardo Rosset's disciple is gone...

Fiorentina 1 · 20 Aug 2002, 17:13 (Ref:362198)

Bet you it isn't Bryan Herta!!!!!!

Watch it be Townsend Bell ;-) Ya, that's a better choice!!!!

Lee Janotta · 20 Aug 2002, 17:39 (Ref:362224)

Gotta be Herta. Well, I still don't think he's right for the job, but I'll be screaming and cheering for him as loud as anyone.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2002, 17:52 (Ref:362234)

In a Minardi, Lee ?

To be lapped less than his mate, maybe ?

freud · 20 Aug 2002, 17:57 (Ref:362240)

LOL!!!

Marcel ten Caat · 20 Aug 2002, 18:07 (Ref:362250)

Other experienced driver option:

- Jos Verstappen, was asked before but declined the offer because he's still in a battle with Arrows and his lawyers advised him to not to race.

steve nielsen · 20 Aug 2002, 18:13 (Ref:362253)

and because Jos knows the Asiatech is **** of course :-)

but a Ferrari or Cosworth powered Minardi is something different of course.

BTW: did you know Paul Stoddart owns one of Jos's old cars?
(a Tyrrell 025)

kmchow · 20 Aug 2002, 19:08 (Ref:362308)

Perhaps Yoong can bring his sponsorship over to TWR or restart the PHART team? =)

Mr Hahn · 20 Aug 2002, 21:57 (Ref:362445)

Well Stodart is sending out very mixed messages at the moment, so I wouldn't take anything he says for gospel.

NME · 20 Aug 2002, 22:33 (Ref:362494)

It looks like PS is trying to relive the cold war scenario at his own team. Minardi just sign a 2-year deal with GAZPROM (Russia gas giant) aiming at bringing a Russian driver all the way up to F1, and on the other side he is saying that next year Minardi will have a US racer.
It is getting HOT.

Marketing wise MINARDI is very valuable. This still is little guy's racing. Small team, back of the grid, the romantic italian name ... plus 2 racers like the Indy Cowboy VS the Siberian Express !!!???

I want a first row seat ...!!!

mac · 20 Aug 2002, 22:49 (Ref:362521)

What about Vasser? As far as I know he's not contracted yet.

I don't think Herta will stand out in F1. He certainly didn't in CART. But, he's a nice guy. Maybe Zanardi will come out of retirement to haunt him again.

Also, yes Herta is an experienced driver - BUT he is not an experienced F1 driver. That is the important thing these days.

f1manoz · 21 Aug 2002, 05:29 (Ref:362658)

Yoong will not be missed. One of the most inept drivers ever to have graced the face of F1. Thank heavens he is now gone.

Americans to replace him? Herta is the name metioned most, but I doubt he's a realistic option. Most likely the team, if they even choose a Yank, will opt for a young American while putting an experienced has-been beside him.

Valve Bounce · 21 Aug 2002, 05:39 (Ref:362661)

Before I get excited, I'd like to see the colour of the engine first

Valve

Super Tourer · 21 Aug 2002, 07:15 (Ref:362691)

Depending on who you believe....some say that the Malaysian sponsors haven't coughed up nearly as much as was thought, therefore Minardi may not miss their support dramamtically, hence the reason for the waning interest in Yoong (aside from his obvious lack of ability in the car).

Jukebox · 21 Aug 2002, 07:38 (Ref:362696)

Quote:

Originally posted by Super Tourer
some say that the Malaysian sponsors haven't coughed up nearly as much as was thought

There are reasons why

Mr V · 21 Aug 2002, 09:45 (Ref:362754)

Quote:

Originally posted by Jukebox

There are reasons why

Is one of the reasons because they're only getting 50% of the TV coverage that they thought that they would get because Alex can't actually make it on to the grid?

Jukebox · 21 Aug 2002, 09:54 (Ref:362764)

Quote:

Originally posted by mr v

Is one of the reasons because they're only getting 50% of the TV coverage that they thought that they would get because Alex can't actually make it on to the grid?

HoHo...very funny

Try harder and you'll get the hang of it

Yoong is a useless excuce to get tv coverage but then i've already posted the reasons why in here and you knew very well what i meant in the first place.

Mr V · 21 Aug 2002, 09:58 (Ref:362769)

Quote:

Originally posted by Jukebox

HoHo...very funny

Try harder and you'll get the hang of it

O dear, sense of humour alert, my apologies Juke!

Super Tourer · 21 Aug 2002, 10:07 (Ref:362781)

Hi Jukebox

Yep, saw the stories about Yoong allegedly not getting latest parts on his car, etc.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Yoong for WPS in 05?	rdmdog	Australasian Touring Cars.	32	27 Jul 2004 14:27
Alex Yoong goes racing in Mexico/Yoong signs with Coyne (merged)	Speeddemon555	ChampCar World Series	84	26 Mar 2003 01:29
Is this the end of Yoong?	Valve Bounce	Formula One	28	20 Jul 2002 23:36
Yoong 3rd	SL	Formula One	12	22 May 2002 12:31
Bad Yoong!!	fastracer	Formula One	4	16 Sep 2001 21:32