It's now official. Antonio Pizzonia is out of Jaguar and Justin Wilson is to replace him. Effective immediately.
JAGUAR RACING have announced that Justin Wilson will replace Antonio Pizzonia with immediate effect. Giant Wilson will contest his first Grand Prix for Jaguar in a fortnight's time at Hockenheim.
"To the great regret of Jaguar Racing, Antonio Pizzonia has not been able to realise his potential with the team over the past eleven races," the team said in a statement. "Jaguar Racing therefore has decided that it is neither in his best interests, nor in the team’s, for Antonio to continue to driving as full time race driver at this time. In an effort to continue supporting Antonio’s development, however, Jaguar Racing has offered him the opportunity to remain with the team as reserve and test driver."
An agreement has been reached with Minardi F1 to allow Justin Wilson to complete the 2003 season with Jaguar Racing. This is an agreement for the remainder of the 2003 season only, with options for future years that provide Jaguar Racing with additional choices for 2004.
David Pitchforth, Managing Director, Jaguar Racing said: "We are delighted to have Justin join us for the remainder of the 2003 season in what is a richly deserved opportunity. In the Jaguar R4, we clearly have a competitive car and one that has helped Mark Webber secure twelve points thereby taking the team to 6th place in the Constructor’s Championship. With five races left on the calendar, it is critical that we are maximising our potential with two race cars."
It's a shame for Pizzonia as I was expecting him to be a good solid driver and one that would have kept Webber honest. It will be interesting to see how Wilson goes in the Jag. Expect them (Webber and Wilson) to be quite close, especially since Justin Wilson was the person that beat Mark Webber in Formula 3000
I feel sorry Pizzonia
, i thought he was finding his feet slowly, but then again they want results in Formula1 . So i hope he finds another team next year and shows he has more talent than we have seen thus far
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Pizzonia shocked by Jaguar decision (F1)
by Nikki Reynolds
Antonio Pizzonia has admitted he is shocked by Jaguar's decision to replace him with Justin Wilson for the rest of the 2003 season. Jaguar made the announcement on Monday that Pizzonia had not fulfilled his potential and it was in the team's best interest to replace him. Former Minardi driver Wilson will take over from the German Grand Prix, the next race at the beginning of August.
"The sudden decision by Jaguar Racing not to let me continue as a full-time Formula One driver for the team came as a complete shock to me," Pizzonia said in a statement. "As the season has progressed my performances have improved."
Jaguar offered Pizzonia a testing role but he has turned it down: "As has been widely reported, Jaguar has offered me a reserve driver and testing role but I have declined this," he said. "I now have to reflect on what has happened and decide which is the best course of action for me to take. However, I fully intend to pursue my career in Formula One."
The 22 year old was signed to Jaguar by then-boss Niki Lauda, having previously been Williams test driver in 2002. By the Spanish GP this year his future was already in doubt and Jaguar tried to replace him with McLaren test driver Alex Wurz. The deal fell through but Pizzonia had been on uncertain ground ever since.
What the future will bring for Pizzonia is yet to be seen but for the moment he declines to comment further. F3000 driver Nicolas Kiesa has filled Wilson's place at Minardi.
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