Formule 1

Jos Verstappen is closing in on the remaining race seat at Jaguar Racing for next season as the Dutchman's chief sponsor Trust pledges its support again in 2004.

Some rumours from Holland are suggesting that a deal has already been done between Verstappen and Jaguar Racing - this however was discounted by a spokeswoman for the British team.

"The rumour that Jos has already signed is not true," she told F1Racing.net. "We're testing Christian Klien and Townsend Bell next week in Valencia first so we have not yet decided anything."

She went on to explain that this did not necessarily indicate that either Klien or Bell would necessarily win a drive at the team.

"The test for those two does not mean that there are only two drivers left in the race for the seat," she explained.

Verstappen enjoys sponsorship backing from several Dutch companies and is an attractive option for Jaguar who could benefit from the budget he could bring, but also because he is not too shabby a driver either.

A spokesperson from Trust, Verstappen's major sponsor confirmed that nothing had yet been signed but they pledge their support for "the boss" for another year.

"We haven't yet signed anything with any team," a spokesman told F1Racing.net. "We are talking with various teams (Jordan, Jaguar, and Minardi) but nothing has yet been decided about where Jos will drive next year."

"We have already come to an agreement with Jos to support him in 2004 wherever he'll be driving," he added.

Jaguar plan three test sessions before Christmas - Valencia, followed by Barcelona, and then Jerez - the team has kept on current driver and Verstappen's former team mate Justin Wilson to aid them in their development of the new R5.

The situation at Jaguar, however is complex with Red Bull trying to persuade the team to hire Klien.

21 november 2003 19:18
Jos verstappen misschien deze mnd nog een contract kans is groot dat het binnen 5 dagen wordt getekend.

Ok is het zo dat webber in gesprekken is met williams

Mr. Hat 23 november 2003 18:55
Ik ben pleite uit dit topic . Veel plezier en steek nog veel veren in die kutmof z'n kont

Tafkap, hoe zie jij dat dan? wil je een poule per wedstrijd of voor het hele jaar of iets anders leuks??? ik wil wel meedoen i.i.g.

En waarom zouden ze 'm bij Williams geen backup meer geven?

Maar ja, de afgelopen 2 jaar is er weinig van te zeggen: de Ferrari was gewoon te sterk.