Sources at Stewart say that Jan Magnussen ...

Published on 03 October 1997 by Verstappen Info Page

Sources at Stewart say that Jan Magnussen will propablty drive for the team in 1998 as well because he has shown his talent in the last few races. Jan's seat at Stewart was under heavy pressure lately. It is expected that the contract will be signed this week. He will get a 'performance-related' contract though. This ensures his commitment next year. Ukyo Katayama also seams sure of his seat at Minardi next year. Tarso Marques had already signed.

Jacques Villeneuve's manager, Craig Pollock, finally seems to get it off with his own team. For a long time now rumour is that Pollock was trying to take over an existing team. It now seems likely that he will enter with his own team in 1999 with the support of tobacco giant BAT. For this he will have to make a $24 million 'deposit', FIA's price to enter F1 with a new team. Jacques Villeneuve is ofcourse mentioned as first driver. As possible teammate the names of Indy-car drivers Alessandro (Alex) Zanardi, Gil de Ferran and Dario Franchitti are mentioned.

Some other rumours from the pitlane: McLaren, Benetton and Jordan seem to consider changing from tyre manufacturer. Problem is that the teams are all tied up with Goodyear until the end of 1998. For next year no new Grand Prix are on the calendar. It is even possible that the French Grand Prix will not be featured due to a dispute between the FIA and the TV-networks. Next year qualifying will propably be in 1 session, just as this year's procedure. The idea of aggregate times with sessions on Friday and Saturday was not agreed on. Next year times will propably get to use more sets of tyres and the maximum number of laps in free practice sessions will propably be discarded.