Verstappen enlists Schumacher's help

[Gerard]

From ITV Formula One:

Verstappen enlists Schumacher's help.

Jos Verstappen is being helped by friend Michael Schumacher in his efforts to find a drive for next season.

Verstappen is carefully considering his options before deciding what he does next season. He has been approached by several teams who want him to become their test driver, but he would rather land a racing deal. His seat at Arrows is under threat from Formula 3000 championship leader Bruno Junqueira so he is on the look-out for other openings.

Schumacher has helped arrange a meeting this week between Verstappen and Peter Sauber. Verstappen has been friends with the double world champion since their days together at Benetton in 1994. Sauber could have two vacancies – Mika Salo may move to Toyota and the team is thought to have lost patience with Pedro Diniz.

Verstappen was not giving much away when asked about his options. He said: 'It is still too early to know what my future in F1 will be, but I could be in a better team for 2001. I could also remain at Arrows, it is still open and my manager is in discussions.'

The Dutchman refused to rule out a testing deal. His friendship with Schumacher could help him join Ferrari while a spell testing for Honda could see him get a similar job from BAR or Jordan. A return to Benetton, testing for Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button, is also possible.

'What Olivier Panis did at McLaren, I also did with the Honda project. That was useful to me... but I would obviously prefer to race in Grand Prix in a competitive team. But to be the third driver in a top team can also have its advantages, I must think of that.'

[downforce]

Whoa! the mans comin to Ferrari!!!!..sure will make a better test driver than Badoer.

Ross the boss??

[Minardi fan]

Badoer and Jos are both equally talented, excellent drivers. In fact, I'd go so far as to say Luca is more rounded - he doesn't throw his car in the gravel so often...

[Neil C]

For all the Schumi bashing I hear, this appears to be an unselfish act of loyalty on Michaels part. Good for him and Jos.

[steve nielsen]

But it could also mean that Jos will drive for Sauber and test for Ferrari, BTW: I remember Michael saying once that he thought that Jos was the best testdriver there is.
And Jos was already in negotiations with Sauber in 96, he was about to sign a contract for 97 when Sauber was forced to take a italian driver, wich never worked for them, who knows where both Jos and Sauber would be now if that deal had gone trough??.