Has Toyota dropped Salo AND McNish?!?

[vat_man]

From autosport.com

Mika Salo will be looking for a new drive for 2003

Allan McNish is expected to go too.

Toyota is said to have informed Mika Salo that he will be dropped from the Formula 1 team at the end of the season.

It is believed that the Finn was told of the decision this morning (Wednesday).

British American Racing's Olivier Panis is the strong tip to replace Salo for 2003. The Frenchman's expected move follows Jacques Villeneuve's decision to stay in F1 with BAR alongside new team-mate Jenson Button.

A Toyota spokeswoman refused to confirm the story. She told Autosport.com: "No decision has been made on the drivers for next year. Toyota has not decided on a date to announce its 2003 driver line-up."

Salo's team-mate Allan McNish is also expected to lose his drive as Toyota lines up an all-new pairing for its second season in F1. CART Championship Series leader Cristiano da Matta is the favourite to step into the Scot's seat.

Da Matta's Newman-Haas Champ Car is powered by Toyota and the Brazilian impressed when he tested for the F1 team at Paul Ricard earlier this year.

The Japanese giant made a promising start to its first season in F1, with Salo scoring two sixth places in the first three races. But nether driver has been able to add to Toyota's points tally since the Brazilian Grand Prix in March.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Lunacy. Still, my sources tell me that if they sack McNish, they'll have to make him a very rich man, and he'll be straight back in ALMS.

You've got to say though that they're being respectably quiet for a new team, in exactly the same way that BAR weren't.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Lunacy. Still, my sources tell me that if they sack McNish, they'll have to make him a very rich man, and he'll be straight back in ALMS.

You've got to say though that they're being respectably quiet for a new team, in exactly the same way that BAR weren't.

True - although it's a bit of concern the way they've slid back through the field as the season's worn on - they aren't developing well. Panis would be a good addition.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man


True - although it's a bit of concern the way they've slid back through the field as the season's worn on - they aren't developing well. Panis would be a good addition.

Definitely. And they've got Second Year Syndrome to deal with too. I wonder how much Michelin's stumbling around has hurt them. Quite a lot I would think.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

From the Autosport web site.

Toyota signs Panis for 2003
McNish and Salo ousted from race team

Toyota has announced that Olivier Panis has signed a two-year contract to join its Formula 1 race team from 2003.

As revealed by autosport.com this morning (Wednesday) Panasonic Toyota Racing and Mika Salo have come to a mutual agreement to cease their collaboration from the end of the 2002 season. Allan McNish's contract will also expire at the end of this season.

"We would like to thank Mika and Allan for their hard work during the last two years, which has been integral in building the team up to its current level," commented team principal Ove Andersson. "This decision was not an easy one for the team and for Toyota Motor Corporation and in no way reflects on their clear racing ability. Both Mika and Allan will complete the remaining four Grands Prix of this season with Panasonic Toyota Racing with the same professionalism and dedication they have demonstrated so far."

The team will announce who is to partner Panis in 2003 at a later date.

Panis's switch from BAR comes after the deal to lure Jacques Villeneuve back to the American-based CART series is said to have hit the rocks over his salary demands. Villeneuve is now expected to partner Jenson Button at BAR next year.

Well I guess that pretty much paves the way for Da Matta then. It's a good result for Panis, who should have been kept by BAR.

Interesting how this year teams have been dropping the wrong people, isn't it?

 

[f1king]

I think that getting rid of Salo is a big mistake, I hope he gets a ride with a better team that boy can drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Well I guess that pretty much paves the way for Da Matta then. It's a good result for Panis, who should have been kept by BAR.
Interesting how this year teams have been dropping the wrong people, isn't it?

And yet Eddie Irvine looks like he'll probably have a drive next year

This has been one of the stranger silly seasons - although a lot of it has to do with the fact that there are question marks about the viability and ownership of a number of teams, I suppose. All this activity, and no change at the big three!

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man


And yet Eddie Irvine looks like he'll probably have a drive next year

This has been one of the stranger silly seasons - although a lot of it has to do with the fact that there are question marks about the viability and ownership of a number of teams, I suppose. All this activity, and no change at the big three!

You think Irvine will get a drive? I doubt it. I still think you'll see Webber and DLR in the Jaguars, so where that leaves a space for motormouth I'm not sure. Can't see him driving a Minardi. And the rumours about him being Ferrari tester have to be nonsense. They have two already, but the drivers are so keen to test that poor Burti has hardly had any running at all in the F2002.

Yes, the silly season has been quite silly, but I think that's principally to do with teams dropping the driver that represents better value to them, with the exception of Sauber, who did exactly right by dumping Massa.

 

[vat_man]

Well, I guess it's whether Jordan decides to drop Sato, and he was making noises about keeping Sato next year (and I hope he does - I think Sato will be a lot better next year, with a bit of an off-season to reflect, and some solid testing miles - well, that and a decent engine...).

Jordan haven't confirmed drivers for next year, have they?

 

[Brian P]

I can't really see Jordan dropping Sato, its obvious the guy has a lot of potential (if he can keep his car on the track that is).

On a side note I had heard that Bryan Herta from the Panoz ALMS team had been doing some testing for Minardi and was hoping for a drive next year.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by Brian P
I can't really see Jordan dropping Sato, its obvious the guy has a lot of potential (if he can keep his car on the track that is).

On a side note I had heard that Bryan Herta from the Panoz ALMS team had been doing some testing for Minardi and was hoping for a drive next year.

He was meant to be one the guys in line for Yoong's drive - I think he drove one of the Minardi two-seaters at their recent show day, didn't he?

 

[Brian P]

Originally posted by vat_man


He was meant to be one the guys in line for Yoong's drive - I think he drove one of the Minardi two-seaters at their recent show day, didn't he?

I think thats right, on the interview I saw he seemed pretty hopeful of getting a drive for next year. I hope Anthony Davison keeps a drive for next year, he was unlucky in Hungary and seems to have good potential for the future.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by Brian P


I think thats right, on the interview I saw he seemed pretty hopeful of getting a drive for next year. I hope Anthony Davison keeps a drive for next year, he was unlucky in Hungary and seems to have good potential for the future.

It would depend on money, I would think. I don't know what the prospects of keeping the Malaysian money are, given Yoong is unlikely to be running next year. I know Davison brought some money to the team, which pretty much got him the drive. I'm sure Herta has some money behind him after all those years in CART. It may well be that they go with Davison and Herta, assuming Webber goes to Jaguar.

 

[JoniK]

I wonder what the hell for are they dropping Salo for....I thought Salo would be in Toyota for years.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by JoniK
I wonder what the hell for are they dropping Salo for....I thought Salo would be in Toyota for years.

That is a curious one - given that Salo went to the trouble of sitting out a year to go testing with them, and scored both their points, I'd have thought he'd have stayed, and probably would have made a good partner for Panis.

Obviously Toyota have decided they needed a much more experienced driver with good testing experience, paired with some fast young thing (i.e. de Matta).

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man
Well, I guess it's whether Jordan decides to drop Sato, and he was making noises about keeping Sato next year (and I hope he does - I think Sato will be a lot better next year, with a bit of an off-season to reflect, and some solid testing miles - well, that and a decent engine...).

Jordan haven't confirmed drivers for next year, have they?

They have confirmed Fisichella. Also, EJ has publicly stated that he'd like to keep Sato, which is interesting. Sato being a "Honda" driver, it would surely have made sense to feign disinterest in him, to get Honda to bankroll his wage (which I understand they are willing to do, to the tune of $6m annually). So EJ appears to have broken the first rule of buying (Never let the seller know you want the merchandise).

This would seem to imply that Sato is in some way contracted to Honda, and that EJ needs to get them to agree to release him to Jordan.

Sato should get better and better, already this year he's shown a far-increased level of maturity and skill, and has dropped out of my list of "Top Three Drivers Most Likely To Kill Themselves In A Shunt".

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man


It would depend on money, I would think. I don't know what the prospects of keeping the Malaysian money are, given Yoong is unlikely to be running next year. I know Davison brought some money to the team, which pretty much got him the drive. I'm sure Herta has some money behind him after all those years in CART. It may well be that they go with Davison and Herta, assuming Webber goes to Jaguar.

That looks quite likely. I think Davidson brought sponsorship from Admiral, a UK-based insurance company. You have to say that Webber's on his way, and that Jaguar looks the most likely bet. The only shock would be if he took the second Toyota seat, but that's unlikely.

My cynical mind tells me that Herta was probably quicker than Davidson at the Minardi test day, but didn't have the money. The only question then is where will Minardi get their sponsorship from if all the Malaysian sponsors jump ship post Yoong dismissal?

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
Sato should get better and better, already this year he's shown a far-increased level of maturity and skill, and has dropped out of my list of "Top Three Drivers Most Likely To Kill Themselves In A Shunt".

I would interested to see that list, Giles.

The other possibility is, of course, that Honda would like to see Takuma-san get another year or two under his belt with someone else paying the chassis bills before running with a factory Honda team, say, to replace a certain ill-shaving Canadian.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie


That looks quite likely. I think Davidson brought sponsorship from Admiral, a UK-based insurance company. You have to say that Webber's on his way, and that Jaguar looks the most likely bet. The only shock would be if he took the second Toyota seat, but that's unlikely.

My cynical mind tells me that Herta was probably quicker than Davidson at the Minardi test day, but didn't have the money. The only question then is where will Minardi get their sponsorship from if all the Malaysian sponsors jump ship post Yoong dismissal?

I think Stoddart has some deal with Jaguar over Webber and Cosworth engines and is taking a bit of a punt that they'll attract sponsorship over the winter with the better package.

Not knowing the terms of the Malaysian sponsorship, it's hard to say - Yoong will probably test drive in return for reduced sponsorship. Their 2003 TV money looks pretty safe at this point.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man


I would interested to see that list, Giles.

1. (By a LOOOONNGG way) Felippe Massa
2. Kimi Raikonnen
3. Juan-Pablo Montoya

Note that the last two are only in the list because of Sato getting better, and because Tarso Marques is no longer driving...

 

[vat_man]

Heh - I remember watching Ricardo Rosset driving for Tyrrell at Albert Park consistently coming out of the fast left-right combination at the back of the circuit completely sideway under power, with a rather ugly correction. A mate of mine piped up and said' wow, that guy's good' and I did think to myself he'll kill himself before the year's out'.

Raikkonen seems a lot smoother now, and I'd certainly nominated Montoya, although it'd either be whilst passing or being passed.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Raikkonen's development has been impressive, and has certainly developed the path for Coulthard's retirement.

Ricardo Rosset? There's a name to shock!

 

[vat_man]

He was quite spectacular - just not very fast!