Jaguar sold to Red Bull (confirmed)

[BSchneiderFan]

Crash.net is reporting that Red Bull have finally done the deal with Ford to buy Jaguar Racing and its place on the 2005 grid.

[Kicking-back]

Very good news.

It's been in the pipeline for a while.

The cars are testing in a couple of weeks time.

I wonder who will be behind the wheel?

[Ryo28]

I think that Klien and Wirdheim are being retained for at least the start of winter testing - after that its anyones guess who'll get the drives!

Great news anyway!

[BootsOntheSide]

My guess would be Coulthard or Heidfeld in the lead car, and Klien, Wirdheim or Allmendinger (ChampCar rookie of the year, American, Red Bull backed) in the second. In any case, it'd be great to see them staying involved, hoepfully most of the staff would be retained and given more money ot play with. Whatever you think of the drink itself, Red Bull's corporate colours look great on racing cars.

[luke]

It would be great having AJ Allmendinger in F1 but I don't feel he has fully blosumed yet.
I can see what you mean and it is certainly a possibility but Bjon Wirdheim would certainly deserve a drive who much longer does the 2003 F3000 CHAMPION have to wait?

[Tweed]

Would this tempt Liuzzi at all or is he tied to Ferrari/Sauber?

[Mr V]

Who will supply them with engines? toyota were favourite iirc, but now they (Toyota) are supplying Jordan, will they want to supply a second customer team?

[BSchneiderFan]

If Kevin Kalkhoven is buying Cosworth, perhaps they can continue to supply the team with engines?

Drivers could be any of Coulthard, Klien, Wirdheim, Liuzzi, Allmendinger and Davidson.

[GP Racer]

I'd like to see Townsend Bell finally get his shot.

He's worked hard, raced in europe for many years, with the single minded goal of making it to F1. He had a very good year in the IRL, but his future there is up in the air. His test in Jaguar last year went well, by all accounts, and I believe he still has Red Bull backing.

So cmon Red Bull, bring him on!

More likely though, its DC, and Heidfeld...

[ralf fan]

so as KB and Boots like to say there'll be a "son of a Jaguar" after all...

[BootsOntheSide]

Hey, I just copied it from KB. It's his fault, he came up with it in a break from his serial-killing duties [/obscure Parc Ferme in-joke]

I thought Bell only did one year in Europe, 2003 in F3000 with Arden, although he did do well as a rookie.

[Armco Bender]

following suggestions that a deal has been done to take up Jaguar Racing's entry.

Hang on a minute guys no ones bought anything yet,its still just speculation.

[Kicking-back]

It's not speculation - it's 99.9% there.

What's happening now is that is are being crossed and ts are being dotted.

[Testure]

If Red Bull are in charge they'll want Red Bull drivers above any other concern. I would say that it'll be Klien and Liuzzi. Both pretty decent choices, it seems.

DC, Heidfeld, Davidson, etc. wouldn't have much chance, in my opinion. Remember, these are the guys who wanted Sauber to hire Bernoldi over Kimi (!) a few years ago. (Was that when they sold their interest in that team?) Thank the gods they've got some better drivers on their books these days, but I wouldn't trust Red Bull to pick drivers with any better accuracy than drawing names from a hat...

[npperk]

IF Red Bull are the owners of "son-of-Jaguar", don't expect automatic walk up starts for Red Bull-sponsored drivers. They will have to have what it takes I am sure because Red Bull aren't there to promote their Red Bull-sponsored drivers, they are there to promote Red Bull.

Their driver sponsorship program is doing a good job getting their name out there and promoted, and they may well be happy for that to continue next year. In the end tho, they will want consistantly fast drivers in their cars as that will promote Red Bull much more than just having Red Bull-sponsored drivers in their cars.

[Paarma]

As davidson isn't necessarily available, I'd take Coulthard and Heidfeld for the first year. Then after one year sack coulthard and take the best youngish driver available to replace him. Either some of the rookies of the 04 season or a new rookie alltogether.

It sounds a bit like toyota though, and that's not a good thing.

[joe rossi]

Grand Prix.com are suggesting the most likely drivers are Klien and Luizzi...not a great pairing on the experience front, is it?

[Testure]

Originally posted by npperk
In the end tho, they will want consistantly fast drivers in their cars as that will promote Red Bull much more than just having Red Bull-sponsored drivers in their cars.

I'd like to believe that, but that's not how they've operated up 'til now, is it?

[Armco Bender]

It's not speculation - it's 99.9% there.

Oh yeah just like Yasser was 99.9% dead.I'll believe when I see it.

[BSchneiderFan]

But he is dead.

[Armco Bender]

Oh no he wasn't

[Dixie Flatline]

Originally posted by Kicking-back
It's not speculation - it's 99.9% there.

What's happening now is that is are being crossed and ts are being dotted.

Anyone who has ever acted in the purchase of a business knows this is still a time when it fall over, ie. when the tyres are being kicked for the last time before the money is committed. Until it's officially announced, it's not done yet.

[BootsOntheSide]

Either of Coulthard or Heidfeld would be ideal for a new team just getting started. Both would relish the opportunity (assuming one doesn't ge tthe Williams offer) and know all about testing, development, team spirit and PR. One of those alongside a young Red Bull driver (and you can't say Liuzzi isn't up to the job) would be fine.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by Armco Bender
Oh no he wasn't

He was.

It was just a matter of timing the announcement for political reasons.

But that's off topic, and neither here nor there.


Remember who told you first Mika was going to the DTM

[Knowlesy]

Who?