Jaguar 2nd Seat Klien/Bell/Wilson (merged)

Inigo Montoya · 25 Nov 2003, 16:46 (Ref:794194)

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, today is the day of reckoning for Jaguar, who will test both Bell and Klien, and shortly announce who will be Webber's partner for 04. An American in F1 would be fantastic! Forza Bell!

DriverT · 25 Nov 2003, 17:15 (Ref:794235)

What happened to Wurz? I thought he was tied to the Klien deal.

enemy-ace · 25 Nov 2003, 17:25 (Ref:794251)

Jaguar have said that these drivers should not be considered the short list and it is still early in their driver evaluation. Wurz is still the best bet in my book.

Inigo Montoya · 25 Nov 2003, 17:57 (Ref:794289)

Link please enemy? Thanks

enemy-ace · 25 Nov 2003, 20:04 (Ref:794392)

Autosport! You have to be signed in to view it, so I won't post the link as I know some people won't be registered. Although it doesn't cost anything.

**Adam43** · 25 Nov 2003, 20:25 (Ref:794401)

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=25370&s=5

Quote:

A Jaguar spokesman added: "We don't know how well these guys will go in an F1 car. They should not be viewed as the shortlist we will choose from because this is only the first step in our driver evaluation."

I believe that may be it

Some views from Bell and Klien too.

Mark Webber · 25 Nov 2003, 20:27 (Ref:794403)

I think one will be tester not GP driver

Super Tourer · 25 Nov 2003, 20:42 (Ref:794409)

Red Bull are apparently adamant that it has to be a race seat for Klien, and have walked away from deals before if they don't meet their exact criteria.

Inigo Montoya · 25 Nov 2003, 20:47 (Ref:794412)

Ok, thanks guys..

Russfeld · 25 Nov 2003, 21:17 (Ref:794423)

Boy, if people thought Andretti set us back 10 years....

NiceGuyEddie · 25 Nov 2003, 21:51 (Ref:794444)

Allthough being on a light fuelload and new tyres, Klien did very well in posting a time of only 1/10th slower than Webber.

steve nielsen · 25 Nov 2003, 21:57 (Ref:794455)

I think Klien will be testdriver, thay can't afford to sign a driver with no experience with Webber already 90% certain to go to Williams next year.

since it seems that the Wurz is out the door(sponsorship problems(HSBC-Superfund)) the race seat will probably go to Marc Gene(although I don't know what sponsors he has) or Jos Verstappen.

NiceGuyEddie · 25 Nov 2003, 22:11 (Ref:794466)

Wurz won't be a problem if RedBull agrees. The Superfund-money won't be necessary than. I suspect Jaguar could be willing to take a gamble with Klien if RedBull wants it bad enough. And they might even hit the jackpot with Klien like Sauber did with Raikkonen.

**bella** · 26 Nov 2003, 02:00 (Ref:794593)

it's already decided though, right?

jhansen · 26 Nov 2003, 02:05 (Ref:794596)

Wouldn't Jos have the same conflict with HSBC with his backing from Trust?

Skam85 · 26 Nov 2003, 02:34 (Ref:794614)

Nup.Ill stick with Wurz as favourite for the seat

Mackmot · 26 Nov 2003, 02:48 (Ref:794624)

whys that JHanson, one is a bank the other makes digi cameras

**ghinzani** · 26 Nov 2003, 10:34 (Ref:794851)

Quote:

Originally posted by NiceGuyEddie
Wurz won't be a problem if RedBull agrees. The Superfund-money won't be necessary than. I suspect Jaguar could be willing to take a gamble with Klien if RedBull wants it bad enough. And they might even hit the jackpot with Klien like Sauber did with Raikkonen.

IIRC doesnt Wurz have links with another energy drink?
Also Red Bull wont hesitate to walk away if they dont think they have the right deal - they have done it already with Sauber and this year with Jordan.

Glen · 26 Nov 2003, 10:56 (Ref:794877)

Superfun money might not be needed - but Wurz might be reluctant to sever his ties with that sponsor.

PaulSands · 26 Nov 2003, 11:05 (Ref:794884)

Quote:

Originally posted by Glen
Wurz might be reluctant to sever his ties with that sponsor.

especially with Jaguar's history...wouldn't be good to p**s off a long standing sponsor when theres a more than 50% chance off being kicked out on your ass mid season

mac · 26 Nov 2003, 11:11 (Ref:794891)

Klien is undoubtedly a super talent. With Red Bull backing, I'm pretty sure he'll be on the F1 grid somewhere in 2004. But is he ready? No one thought Kimi was ready.

He's probably more ready than Bell will ever be.

BootsOntheSide · 26 Nov 2003, 11:49 (Ref:794937)

Red Bull's driver support sometimes seems a bit disjointed - it's a shame they haven't taken the opportunity to give some of their US drivers a go in the carm especially as Ford's a US company.

Klien seems to be good, but I'm unconvinced that he's going to be a massive success. Sponsored drivers coming in from below F3000 are usually disasterous (Lauda being the only major exception).

PaulSands · 26 Nov 2003, 11:53 (Ref:794942)

Lauda did F2 which was the same
Button?Raikonnen?Nelson Piquet (sr)?Senna?

enemy-ace · 26 Nov 2003, 11:59 (Ref:794948)

Nice to see a pay-driver with some potential though. If he's quick and comes with cash it's a win-win!

**chunterer** · 26 Nov 2003, 13:17 (Ref:795022)

More to add to the 'disasters' who've gone to F1 from below F2/F3000.... um Hakkinen, Fisichella, Trulli, Brundle (was v good in debut year), Massa? think they've done alright haven't they?!

I'd like to see Bell get a drive, but not sure it will be next year. I think he may get a go at Minardi though. Don't know much about Klien, is he really a supertalent, cos he hasn't wiped the floor with everyone in F3, which is usually a good sign? True, though a pay driver with ability is rare indeed!!

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