We can hereby confirm that Jos Verstappen ...

Published on 22 December 1998 by Verstappen Info Page

We can hereby confirm that Jos Verstappen signed a contract with the new test team of Honda. Asked for a first reaction, Jos stated as follows: "During the last season I already had several contacts with the new Honda team. After leaving the Stewart team, this was directly the first and by far the best option I had available. The choice was therefore not difficult at all, I prefer to invest one year in intensive testing and hopefully make it possible to be competitive at the start of the first race season."

Although Honda is still sideways present via the Mugen Honda motors, the great successes with McLaren are some years ago. We asked therefore if it's not difficult to become competitive, "Everybody knows the reputation of Honda within the Formula 1, they are only satisfied with winning. I am proud and see it as an honour that Honda has chosen me. I am also very glad to be able to set the first steps towards success together with Honda."

Jos is reunited with lots of technicians from the former Tyrrell team where he drove during the 1997 season. "It's incredible, the enthusiasm and motivation of the Honda technicians, Harvey Postlethwaite and Rupert Manwaring. The contacts I have with them are very good from the start."

Via the Italian press, it was already discovered that the team did their first shake down on the circuit of Vairano (Italy). Jos was able to drive several shake-down laps with the first test car, based on a Dallara chassis and Honda engine. Jos told us as follows: "My first experience with the new car was very special. I can also say that my first impression of the new Honda engine was very impressive.

We asked him how he looks at a season without racing, and he answered as follows: "I am looking forward to a season with lots of kilometres on the track for testing, and I see it as a great opportunity to develop the car to match my driving style. As I stated before, I chose for one year of testing with a great, professional and well organised team, with hopefully the opportunity to compete for the podium places in the near future."