Wilson Ready to Race at Jaguar for Free

By steve
June 5 2003

Justin Wilson has been talking to a number of top teams regarding a drive for next year. It seems that Jaguar is high on his list of potential teams.

Here’s what Jonathon Palmer, his manager, had to say,"If Jaguar offered him a drive for no salary at all, if that's what they wanted to do and felt it was the best they could do, then one must obviously look at that seriously in view of the potential of the car,"
"He wants to be in the most competitive drive he can be for 2004. The chances are that may not be Minardi.
"Obviously Jaguar is a very attractive team, he knows Mark Webber very well, matched him very well (in Formula 3000) and as a British driver that would be a great thing to see.
"I think Webber and Wilson would make a formidable team. I think it would be great for everybody, for Jaguar and for Britain as well."
"But it's probably fair to say that I've had more communication with Jaguar than any other team,”
24 year old Wilson has made a great start to the season – at least matching the more experienced Jos “The Boss” Verstappen
His salary, sourced from his investors, is capped this season at 50,000 pounds, rising to 75,000 in 2004 and 100,000 in 2005 with any extra money earned destined to repay shareholders.
"Hopefully I can progress and be in a more competitive environment next year," said Wilson. "That's what (Minardi boss) Paul (Stoddart) is hoping I can do and that's what we're all hoping I can do.
"It'll be sad to leave...but Paul expects me to move on as he did with Mark and Fernando (Alonso).
"I'm not aware of any talks but Jonathan speaks to quite a number of people and he doesn't always tell me what's been said."
Fortunately, for Wilson, Wurz wasn’t signed and Pizzonia, although improving, is still yet to shine,"If Wurz had come into Jaguar and gone well, then he would have been staying there for 2004," he said.
"It is still possible that Pizzonia may raise his game and in which case maybe he can have a longer term future. But at the moment you would probably say it was unlikely."