Who will partner Panis at Toyota?

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I say da Matta, with Wurz very very very close behind for a second choice.

[nichosnz 0]

I think it is likely to be da Matta also, he just seems the most likely choice, and he has had a test with them.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Helio Castroneves is still due to test with the team next month. He is also a possibility in my view.

[nichosnz 0]

Well he has to be considered if he is tesing for them this late in the season.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Castroneves has won the last two Indy500s (though this year it was controversial), along with the CART championships. He is very skilled and could do well in F1...

[nichosnz 0]

2001 CART champ or 2002. Bit of a tough call isn't it.

[daz 0]

This is really a tough one to call. I ended up going with Wurz because I think Toyota want 2 experienced drivers who can now push the team forward in its development. I think that Wurz's experience at Mclaren might just give him the edge. Da Matta would have to be my very close no. 2 choice with Massa the outside chance.

[nichosnz 0]

You don't think Castroneves has much of a chance then?

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

It will be one of the three, Castroneves, da Matta, or Wurz. Wurz having been Mclaren test driver does give him a good edge on the other two though...

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Get this, Verstappen is now being rumoured to join Toyota. What a way to go eh?

[nichosnz 0]

That could be why he is at Spa then, although if he is there and the made the announcement at Spa why not include that also. I don't think that Toyota have drivers signature other that Panis. So Jos must be just "in the frame".

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

We will likely know by the end of the race on Sunday. Probably Friday already.

[nichosnz 0]

Do you think so, before they have had a chance to test Castroneves.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Good point. But this is what Im being told on the phone from sources, so I think I ought to believe it, they haven't been wrong too often.

[nichosnz 0]

Fair enough then.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Not yet, Im thinking it will take a while. If it wasn't announced today and wont be this weekend, it may be a while before we know.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Antonio Pizzonia is also now in the run for a Toyota seat. I wonder who else?

[nichosnz 0]

The more possibilites, the more fans will be annoyed when a choise is made.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Haha! Well said, Ive never thought of it that way...

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

More news, Anthony Davidson is now another candidate for Toyota according to Ove Andersson. He is looking for someone young, promising, and enthusiastic, and said that Davidson fits that description.

[Thor 0]

Non above .I believe it will be Villeneuve

[nichosnz 0]

I don't think Toyota will be willing to fork out the sort of money Villeneuve is asking. Well not for a driver anyway, big budget or not.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Depends, maybe Villeneuve won't ask for much because he just wants to win. Could be...

[nichosnz 0]

But Toyota won't win next year and a few years down the track BAR might be winning at the same time as Toyota (if you beleive DR). In time to see JV switch back. Then he will have had a pay cut for nothing. Maybe JV will move to Jag for 2004 if Ford sell to Pollack and his crowd.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

You never know, F1 is a crazy game. Im betting that he will stay at BAR though, it just doesnt seem like hes going anywhere.