Zonta Out?

RobK · 8 Jan 2003, 15:18 (Ref:467402)

So, if Ricardo's taking a testing role at Toyota, does that mean he's out of the running for the second Newman-Haas seat?

Autosport Story

Liz · 8 Jan 2003, 17:13 (Ref:467506)

Apparently so.

From the Toyota F1 website:

Quote:

The team also used the occasion of its car launch to announce Ricardo Zonta as its third driver for the 2003 season. The 26-year-old Brazilian drove in 32 Formula 1 GP between 1999 and 2001 and won the 2002 World Series by Nissan.

Snrub · 8 Jan 2003, 19:10 (Ref:467641)

Yeah that's not good. In the past he could have done both, but not with the new friday rules. (assuming he'd be participating)

Sato san · 8 Jan 2003, 23:02 (Ref:467986)

Im sure Toyota wouldnt want him flying across the atlanic every week............

Raven · 8 Jan 2003, 23:17 (Ref:468006)

For Zonta, the Toyota test/reserve driver will be very much a full time occupation. I think it would be nice to see Fogarty hired at N/H. With Max out of the frame at Rocketsports, I would've thought Tagliani would be in there.

mac · 9 Jan 2003, 00:20 (Ref:468054)

I reckon with Zonta out, Bourdais is a special.

Snrub · 9 Jan 2003, 00:28 (Ref:468062)

JPM and I think someone else were test drivers for F1 teams in the past.

Liz · 9 Jan 2003, 03:10 (Ref:468127)

http://www.pitpass.com/galleryhome.cfm

Look at the difference between Zonta's expression and da Matta's -- do you think da Matta is thinking "He wants my job" and Zonta is thinking "I want his job!" ?

The Snout · 9 Jan 2003, 03:16 (Ref:468130)

Could be Liz. Panis being the older one should be a little more worried cause if I was Toyota I would rather build the team around DaMatta and Zonta for the long haul.

Brian W Keske · 9 Jan 2003, 03:24 (Ref:468135)

Quote:

Originally posted by The Snout
Could be Liz. Panis being the older one should be a little more worried cause if I was Toyota I would rather build the team around DaMatta and Zonta for the long haul.

Except that Panis is known as being one of, if not the best, developmental drivers in F1. I'm sure that is why Toyota wanted him. They have a pretty good combination in daMatta and Panis....and I doubt they expect Panis to win, that is daMatta's job.

The Snout · 9 Jan 2003, 03:30 (Ref:468137)

Note. By long haul I was aiming at 4+ years out. Panis is currently the better developmental driver of the 3, no doubt there.

Liz · 9 Jan 2003, 12:45 (Ref:468383)

How old is Panis? About 35 isn't he? Perhaps eventually he and Zonta will switch seats?

sgw2 · 9 Jan 2003, 17:44 (Ref:468628)

Toyota changed lineup after only a year. So it isn't safe. Also this is not an underfunded mid-pack team (although that is where they race so far), so driver breifcases have no impact. Of course that is why Zonta took it; it pays him instead of the other way around.

djb · 9 Jan 2003, 17:59 (Ref:468640)

did anyone else have trouble with the Zonta-daMatta link? My web browser immediately crashed both times I clicked on the link, which is rather odd and usually doesn't happen.

and I would agree with Toyota appreciating Panis's experience in car development and so he may end up sticking around for awhile, even if it means going back to test driving.

The Snout · 9 Jan 2003, 20:44 (Ref:468819)

Yeah I had a similar problem with the link too.

Liz · 10 Jan 2003, 00:31 (Ref:469036)

Go into the F1 forum and look for the Zonta thread -- there's a copy of the link there.

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