Justin Wilson
By .
September 30 2003
Date of Birth: 31 Jul 1978
Place of Birth: Sheffield England
Height: 1.92 m
Weight: 80 Kg
History :
87 to 93 : Karting
1994 : Karting, Formula Vauxhall Junior UK (Winter Series)
1995 : Formula Vauxhall Junior UK
1996 : Formula Vauxhall UK
1997 : Formula Vauxhall UK
1998 : Formula Palmer Audi
1999 : F3000, 18th.
2000 : F3000, 5th.
2001 : F3000, champion.
2002 : Telefonica World Series by Nissan, 4th.
Justin Wilson began racing cars in 1994, driving in the Formula 'A' British Championship and the Formula Vauxhall Junior Series. He won his first race at the age of 16. The youngest ever race winner in that championship. Next he became champion in the Formula Vauxhall Junior Challenge Cup. Finished third in the Formula Vauxhall Junior Championship and was the best rookie in Formula Vauxhall.
He signed on for Paul Stewart Racing in the 1996 British Formula Vauxhall. Justin finished in the runner up position after finishing every round in a top five position. He continued with the team in 1997 and finished 4th overall.
In 1998 he competed in Formula Palmer Audi and was crowned champion after 9 wins, 10 fastest laps,6 lap records and 4 pole positions.In 1999 he competed for Team Astromega in F3000. He was the best qualified rookie on several occasions and with 42 drivers attempting to qualify for every race, Justin was one of only seven to qualify on the grid for all ten rounds
Justin secured the F3000 crown in 2001 with a record number of points, 71 in total. He claimed 10 podium finishes out of 12 races, 2 pole positions and 3 race wins, beating current Jaguar driver Mark Webber.
He tried to secure a drive in the 2002 Formula One championship but his 6ft 3 height prevented him from doing so. He was rejected by Jordan for a full time drive and when Minardi replaced Alex Yoong for two races in the middle of the season, Justin was once again deemed too tall. Instead he competed in the Telefonica World Series by Nissan where he finished 4th.
After being forced to reject him due to his height, Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart vowed to make a car big enough to accommodate him and signed him on to compete for the Faenza based squad in the 2003 season.
Great race performances combined with the fact that he beat their current ace Mark Webber in F3000 saw Justin replace Antonio Pizzonia at Jaguar in their quest for 5th place in the 2003 constructors championship.