Helio Castroneves Lands Jaguar Formula 1 Ride!

Former CART driver and Indy Racing League ace, Helio Castroneves, has reportedly landed a drive for Jaguar Racing next year.

The Brazilian, affectionately known as 'Spider-Man' due to his fence-climbing antics of victory, was born in Sao Paulo and tested a Toyota TF102 at the Paul Ricard circuit recently.

And, almost out of nowhere, IRL boss Roger Penske has ensured that Castroneves is in with a shout of landing the Formula One drive. 'I didn't know anything about it until Roger (Penske) told me he was talking to them,' said Helio.

'Roger said he wanted me to talk with a certain person from Jaguar but I wasn't able to find him,' the Brazilian continued on Monday from his home in Miami.

'I finally found Jackie Stewart and he said he would pass on the message to the right person. I'm going to call England today (Tuesday) because all those people are flying back.

'I want to know what's going on and I don't have any offer yet but if it's serious I'm going to go after this.'

Castroneves notched up 71-laps of Paul Ricard but Toyota made it abundantly clear that he was not being considered for the drive.

Roger Penske, though, has always been vocal about Helio's ability to go all the way.

'I have no intention to leave Roger but, what a man, to do something like this,' said Castroneves. 'Everything he does is with a handshake and he has been the best thing ever for my career.

'I'm very happy racing here in America for Roger and I don't want to give up what I have here to pursue a dream unless it's worthwhile.

'I'd just stay where I'm welcome but I must say I enjoyed my first experience with a Formula One car. A ride in F1 is something I grew up wanting to have.'

Jaguar Racing and the Ford Motor Company are keen to woo the growing American market with a new-found interest for Grand Prix racing.

CART team owner Bobby Rahal, who steered the Jaguar ship last year, agrees that Jaguar's marketing logic is sound.

'It makes sense, certainly, because as a Jaguar dealer I'm hard pressed to see what value we're getting out of the F1 program over here,' said the American.

'Unfortunately, F1 is just a blip on the radar over here. It's a passionate blip, but just a blip.

'Someone with North American flavor would help but the most important thing is to get a driver who can be competitive and who can be a leader and motivate the team.'

Jaguar were impressed with Helio's form at the wheel of the Toyota.

'I know I can turn right and left and if I'd have had one more day I know I could have picked up another second,' said the oval-based IRL star who has won the last two Indy 500s.

'As for being marketable in the USA all I can say is that I'm thankful for all the support I've received and I feel more American than Brazilian.

'Formula One is the most popular thing in Brazil but America gave me my real opportunity and I won't forget that.'

Jag boss Niki Lauda, interestingly, refused to directly comment on the Helio Castroneves link, but our sources are now reporting that it is a done deal.

'We will announce our lineup before the end of the season,' was all the Austrian would say.

The Jaguar board will meet on Friday, and vote on the Castroneves proposition.

'Everything is happening so suddenly and if I'm going to be sitting in a F1 seat next year then let's hope it happens,' said Castroneves.

'Right now I'm just a driver, you know the last person to know what's going on!'

 

Good luck Helio on "taking them in the twisties" again! Rather, maybe I should say good luck to the Jaguar... although they seem to be moderately quick now.

 

Ironic how Jaguar wants to bring some 'American Flavor' to F1 with a Brazilian driver.

I'll be cheering for him just the same and I wish him and Jaguar the best of luck.

 

Someone needs to tell Jaguar about this, according to Autosport UK, they know nothing about it.

 

They don't call it silly-season for nothing.
K

 

Jaguar Racing claims to know nothing about any of this. Team spokesman Nav Sidhu said, "We have not approached Helio Castroneves, nor do we have any intention of offering him a test." The Jaguar board is due to meet on Friday, but when asked if the Castroneves situation would be discussed, Sidhu replied: "Absolutely not." Are they in denial?

Jaguar Racing is unaware because Lauda is rumoured to be on his way out and The word from Detroit is that the Ford Motor Company bosses would like to see a driver who would be of some use in the all-important North American market.

The problem is that there is no obvious candidate with the profile wanted. The next best thing would be a driver known in the United States and we hear that Ford wants to get double Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. There is some resistance to this idea but since Castroneves's recent Toyota test - which was very impressive - the momentum has been building and we hear that the issue will now be solved at a Jaguar Racing board meeting next Friday.

It is anticipated that if a decision is made in favor of Castroneves he would partner Webber and both Eddie Irvine and Pedro de la Rosa would move on elsewhere. Irvine is expected to go to Jordan, which will be an interesting transition as there has been considerable friction in recent days between Jordan and Jaguar personnel, relating to some of the announcements which have been made about the Ford engine supplies next year. There have even been suggestions that there was a scuffle between marketing men from the two teams in the course of Friday.

 

One of the most talked about rumours in the Indianapolis paddock this weekend concerns Jaguar Racing and the future of team chief Niki Lauda, and driver Eddie Irvine.

According to the latest rumours on Saturday morning Jaguar team manager Guenther Steiner has made an offer to Eddie Irvine to stay with the team in 2003. This is a peculiar move given that such a move would normally be made by the Team Principal, Niki Lauda.

It is thought that Lauda could be sidelined by Ford from the Jaguar Racing project - sending the Austrian to look after the Cosworth part of the operation, while letting Steiner, a veteran of Ford's Rally efforts, take complete charge of Jaguar Racing.

It is expected that a driver annoncement will be made by the Japanese Grand Prix.