Castroneves, not da Matta?

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Newest news is that Allan McNish and Helio Castroneves might make a straight switch between the Penske IRL team and the Toyota F1 team. This comes after news that McNish will test the Penske car on Monday at Fontana.

This comes as quite new news, for the past few months its been all da Matta and little Helio, but now the tables have turned as da Matta recently also said that he is still considering the move.

I think Helio in F1 would be great and hope he would do excellent, because Castroneves is really the four-wheel version of Valentino Rossi, and F1 needs a personality (one of the only things I agree with Bernie on). I'd like to see Helio climb onto a fence after an F1 win

[DJC-Grafix 0]

personally i would prefer Helio in F1, yes coz of his personality. he would also be a fast racer...and he would get a kick out of road courses agen.

i rate da Matta highly, but i think he should stay in CART, to continue winning, and to keep CART going

[nichosnz 0]

At this stage it does look markedly more likely for HC. Bit of a let down for CdM though after finally allowing himself to say he wouldn't mind giving F1 a chance.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Toyota cannot hold an announcement for too much longer I dont believe, though if Roger Penske announces a deal with McNish before Andersson does with CdM or HC, then it is almost confirmation of Helio's drive.

[nichosnz 0]

If he is going with HC, then Toyota and Penske would be best to sync there press releases.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Which is what will probably happen. It is amazing how things go nowadays with all the manufacturers, it seems that drivers have got test drives in F1 lately just because of similar connections.

[nichosnz 0]

You have to use whatever tools you can to get ahead. Manufacturer/sponsor links are todays tools.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

It is sadly true, though I am a firm believer in results are the final decision. Alex Yoong may have sponsors, but no results.

[nichosnz 0]

And that is why he is VERY likely to be gone for 2003.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

I am not so sure myself actually, if Yoong may actually stay in F1 for next year. He just got a new manager, a good one at that, who says that if he can stay in F1 he will, but CART is a good possibility as well. Verstappen will sign for Minardi if they get Cosworth engines, so that still leaves a second seat which depends a lot on Mark Webber.

[nichosnz 0]

I think Webber will stay in Minardi, what options does he have;

Jordan - EJ sounds like he is sticking with Sato

Jaguar - Depends on Irvine

Toyota - Depends on HC or CdM

Minardi - IMO Likely

No F1 for 2003 - I don't think he will go this way.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Definitely, I think the two key figures left in what driver lineups we get rest in the hands of Eddie Irvine and Mark Webber. Irvine apparently already has something pretty much signed, while Webber has been released from his contract at Minardi, which could hint that Mark has found something. We must remember the Toyota link he had a few months back that was serious, CdM and HC may not be making the move so it really depends on a few factors now. Sato seems to be staying at Jordan after all as you said. What Im hoping for in lineups is

Jaguar: Mark Webber/Eddie Irvine (PDLR has done nothing)

Toyota: Panis/HC or CdM (either will do in my opinion, though HC is probably a bit better in the character section)

Minardi: Jos Verstappen/Alex Yoong

I've grown to like Yoong, I would like to see him do well in a better powered car.

[nichosnz 0]

I used to like PdlR, but I have to agree with you Jens he has done nothing this year. In 2002 he was one of just 5 drivers not to score and of them, Davidson only drove 2 races, Bernoldi didn't contest 1/3 of the season and McNish would have scored in Malaysia but for (Pit crew) reliability. So he has to go, Spain is still represented by the much more talented Alonso racing Renault, and Gene testing Williams.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

When Pedro de la Rosa was with Arrows, racing third at the Austrian GP in 2000, I liked PdlR. Last year I liked PDLR, especially for his race at Canada. He scored last season. But this year, he hasn't been scoring, at least not on track

I can't imagine him retaining a drive with Jaguar (more in the Wrap, up now on the site) and if anything he will be at Minardi. All he has done this year is made me laugh at Indy for falling over the fence

[nichosnz 0]

That was the only point of note for him this year.