28 replies to this topic

[molive]

Antonio Pizzonia was offered a 5 year deal with Benneton Renault, but he chose not to sign it because it didn´t garantee him a driving spot (he could be used as a test driver only).

Pizzonia said he wants to drive in F1 already in 2001 but he prefers to ´lose´ one year in f-3000 if he can´t get a top team drive.

BTW, Williams and McLaren have already offered him a test driver job. But he haven´t made a decision yet on his future.


In case you don´t know him, Pizzonia, aka ´jungle boy´, is a 19 y.o. Brazilian who has been impressing in lower formulae and is currently leading the British F3.

Some stats:

After leaving Brazil in 96 as Cart champion, Pizzonia has raced 82 times, of which he won 42 times (56%), stood on the podium 70 times (85%), got 47 best laps (57%) and 48 poles (58%).

Pizzonia will test the F1 Benneton this week.

[Nikolas Garth]

What about a job with Pizza Hut as delivery boy?

[Smooth]

Or Dominos... don't they still have that '30 minutes fast or free' thing? They are always looking for quick drivers, and hey... the tips aren't bad, and the uniform isn't any more goofy looking!

[Williams]

you guys !

[Todd]

Good for Antonio. He shouldn't tie himself to a 5 year deal if they won't put driving in competition in the terms. Besides, look what this sort of arrangement has done to Giancarlo Fisichella. He may have been good, if he wasn't in the process of wasting a third year at Benetton-Supertec.

Renault MAY make Benetton good enough to help a driver develop like Schumacher did, but Antonio needs to be driving the car for it to help his career. What if Renault signs JV and GF to contract that tie up AP's early twenties?

[RedFever]

in the past 2 weeks Bennetton seemed shifting its interest toward Pantano, Italian, F3 driver

[vroom-vroom]

The 2000 F3 class seem very good, but it's still very early in the season. Pizzonia and Pantano are probably future stars, but why in the world is no one paying attention to Hynes, last year's F3 Brit Champ? He can't even get a decent F3 or F3000 drive while his would-be successors are turning down contracts. It just doesn't make any sense.

[JayWay]

Molive,

What is going on with Jeanluca (is that his name) Burti? I remember hearing about him having alot of potential but have no heard from him in a year of so.

I really hope Pizzionia gets a good drive, he is definatly part of the new breed of young guns ready to take over F1, unfortunatly with all these talented youngsters coming up, there is only going to be so many good drives, and someone is gonna be singled out as the Jean Alesi of the next generation. Pizzionia is smart for looking out for a good ride, but he better not be to cautious.

[RedFever]

JW, Burti is Jaguar's test driver

[JayWay]

Could he be in line for the drive when Herbert goes?

[molive]

JayWay,

Luciano Burti is the current test driver for Jaguar. He has been setting fast times and is one of the candidates for Herbert´s spot (could be soon if the Briton doesn´t put his right foot down).

BTW, if we´re talking about F1 prospects, remember Bruno Junqueira (the one whoe lost the Williams drive to J.Button)? He´s currently leading F-3000 having won two consecutive races, including the tough rainy Nurburgring last saturday.

[JayWay]

ehehe, sorry.

[vroom-vroom]

Molive, are you just blindly supporting all Brazilian drivers, or is it just a coincidence?

[Smooth]

vroom-vroom, I just wish a Brazilian driver would show up, get a decent car, and actually decide to race. It must be hell to be Molive on a Monday after the race, and have to come onto the web and defend Rubens. Lets all hope molive can get someone a smidge better to cheer for!

Forza Brasilia!

-Smooth

(Or Molive, you could pretend Schuey is Brazilian. Wouldn't that make life easier!!!)

[molive]

VV

I wish this BB existed back in the eighties. I´d love to have heated arguments after watching Senna x Prost, Senna x Mansell, Piquet x Mansell, etc...


About pretending MS is a Brazilian...well, at least he (supposedly) knows a thing or two about soccer...

[Smooth]

Originally posted by molive:
About pretending MS is a Brazilian...well, at least he (supposedly) knows a thing or two about soccer...

But I am sure he either cheats, or gets prima-donna treatment!

[molive]

VV,
BLIND? No. Blindly patriot? Maybe, sometimes...But you won´t see me posting fan stuff about Diniz or Zonta, for instance.

Is it my fault that Brazilian drivers are so good? For each open-wheel formula available worldwide, at any level, there´s always a Brazilian driver at or near the top. F3000, F3, Vauxhall, IRL, Indy Lights, Cart, etc...you name it, we´re there!


Ê, Ô, Ê, Ô, O BRASIL É UM TERROR!


(sorry, couldn´t help it)

[This message has been edited by molive (edited 05-24-2000).]

[RedFever]

SChumi plays very well soccer, but it's because his Nike shoes have TC!!!!

[vroom-vroom]

Molive, you're right. You guys are incredibly talented. That's why I can't believe you have people like Diniz race instead of one of your top young guns. OTOH, you guys overhyped Rubens, who was good but not THAT good. He's had - how many? - over 100 F1 starts by now - and you guys still make him look like he has to learn the ropes...Bring on Junqueira and Pizzonia.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Over the past few years there have been very very few Brazilians in European (british/french/german/etc) Formula Ford categories I've always found that rather strange since as was metnioned they seem to be at or near the top in most other series.

I dont rate Junquera that highly, this is his third F3000 year.

Ross Stonefeld
Aztec Group Motorsport

[molive]

VV, c´mom Diniz isn´t so bad...

Well, unfortunately, there will always be those who get to the top because they have stronger backing ($$) while other more talented have to struggle only to find themselves having to prove their skills in crappy teams...

I know that Pizzonia is not one of the rich kids. He has fought very hard to find sponsors in his native state (Amazon) in order to run the F.Vauxhall.

[vroom-vroom]

Pizzonia posted the 5th fastest time for Benetton at Valencia today, faster than Pantano. Pat Symonds is full of praise for him. Way to go, boy! I love to see those new guys hopping in a F1 car for the first time and posting scorching times. I think Bernoldi did great in the Sauber too. Boy, you guys got it made!

[daedalus]

People say that due to the bad traffic in Brazil people have to learn how to drive fast to stay alive...

[molive]

http://www.atlasf1.com/news/2452.htm

impressive. future star indeed.

[Nathan]

Wooooooooo Horise. McLaren offered him a deal? What about Panis? Or is this a sign Mika is leaving sooner than thought and Panis is the fill in boy?

[HB?!]

Originally posted by daedalus:
People say that due to the bad traffic in Brazil people have to learn how to drive fast to stay alive...

One thing is for sure: There is no place better to learn how to overtake while dogding potholes in high speed...

[molive]

that´s a myth.

a joke.

nonsense.

but might be true...

[polaris]

you actually have to drive fast in Brazil to avoid getting hi-jacked or pulled over by corrupt cops

[molive]

Seeling,

Have you ever been to Brazil?
you seem to have so much knowledge of the country...