Toyota goes Fresh

[nichosnz 0]

Toyota are completely changing their driver line-up for 2003. Oliver Panis has been announced. Cristiano de Matta is the perceived lead contender for the other seat.

Not sure I can agree with canning Salo, he has been doing a darn good job all year.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I didn't see the getting rid of Salo bit coming at all. I can't say I agree with it either, he has been doing great all year. Especially in qualifying. I think though that this means da Matta will get the other seat next year, otherwise I think they would have kept Salo as the other driver. Or an unheard of driver from F3000? Im leaning towards da Matta. Ill make a poll of it in a new topic.

[nichosnz 0]

Where to for Salo now, Arrows, I hope not. By my reckoning the best seat still avaliable is to replace Sato at Jordan.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Im keeping my fingers crossed for Salo to go to Jordan. EJ is looking for a replacement for Sato because HHF was given the chance to return, and I believe Alex Wurz was offered a ride for this year...

[nichosnz 0]

If Salo went to Jordan look out for them at Monaco, all three of Fisichella, Salo and Jordan tend to do quite well there.

[daz 0]

Yeah - that was a shocker wasn't it. I really think Salo deserved more. But hopefully Toyota's loss will be Jordans gain....

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

It apparently wont. Salo announced his retirement today.

[nichosnz 0]

Really, although I not suprised he has been dropped a number of times from teams with no apparent reasoning. He must be bored of that s**t by now.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Well he said this was his choice, not the teams. But he has been left out in the cold too often for what he deserves. Funny that he had a deal to go Ferrari for the 98 season, but didn't take it and went to Arrows. He didn't want to be Schumi's number 2. I wonder what would have come of it?

[nichosnz 0]

A few race wins, and maybe the 1999 championship.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Im sure he would have battled for wins constantly and for a championship. Too bad it never came to be, it would have been interesting to see two Finns battling it out for the title.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

And who would have been the replacement for Schumi in '99 then? I think Badoer would finally have gotten his chance...

[nichosnz 0]

I think you're right.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

He was rumoured to replace Schumi and someone else would have driven the Minardi, but I guess not.

[nichosnz 0]

Apparently he was a little annoyed that Salo got the nod ahead of him in that occasion, not too annoyed though he still works for Ferrari.

[Thor 0]

Is possible Villeneuve is going to Toyota and that is the reason he didn't want the 50 millions dollars?

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Yes, this is the newest news Im hearing and what is spreading around the internet. Would be interesting, Villeneuve could actually take Toyota higher than they are right now.

[nichosnz 0]

It would be interesting to see him in another, potentially better, car.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

It would, but I see him staying at BAR. It just doesnt seem like he is going anywhere...

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

But then, it didnt look like Salo was going anywhere.

[nichosnz 0]

He does seem to be concreted to the floor at BAR at bit more than Salo at Toyota though.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

True. Villeneuve has been at BAR since the beginning, and is still a big part of the team.