Jos Verstappen to join BAR in 2003?

By Phil Huff
December 12 2002

In addition to being linked with Minardi and Jordan, it now appears that Jos Verstappen is also being linked with a testing role at British American Racing for 2003.

Verstappen's manager Huub Rothengatter has had preliminary talks with Lucky Strike BAR Honda with a view to securing Jos a test drive for 2003 and a full race seat in 2004.

Verstappen's first F1 test was with Footwork (Arrows) in 1993 running a Mugen-Honda engine, and the Dutchman's performance was good enough to convince Benetton to snap him up for 1994 when he partnered Michael Schumacher.

When Honda began its HRD programme, ahead of what was meant to be a full works F1 entry, Verstappen was the company's immediate choice for the role of test driver. Unfortunately following the death of HRD project leader Harvey Postlethwaite the company decided to return to F1 as an engine manufacturer only.

Jos still has many fans at Honda, but Rothengatter must first convince the BAR management that the popular Dutchman is the man for them.

However, if Jos is given the opportunity of a race seat at Minardi, expect BAR to lose out.