Franz Tost, Team Principal of Scuderia Toro Rosso, has just revealed the driver that he wanted to replace Sebastien Vettel for the 2009 Season—It was none other than the feisty Colombian, Juan Pablo Montoya.
Auto Motor und Sport have quoted that the Austrian approached Juan Pablo about racing for the team in the forthcoming season, and actually offered the drive, but the ex-Williams and McLaren man has turned him down.
- B/R Ticket Guide
"Unfortunately, he no longer wants to be in Formula One," Tost said.
Whilst this is not ground-breaking information, I do think that having a character such as JPM would have been good for the sport, and also shows that STR are more than happy to look outside the box!
From my perspective, I truly hope that Takuma Sato will get the drive, especially as he has now been offered another test with the team. Good old Taku always made F1 "interesting!"
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about 1 month ago
As long as SeaBass keeps his job, I'm not worried about whoever else STR hires. Bourdais had an up-and-down season, but he showed he had good skills more than once.
And with the reduction in grip next year to near Champ Car levels, Bourdais's skills will be even more valuable to the team. He won four straight championships with the same approximate power-to-grip ratio as is expected to be run next year. You can make the case that Bourdais didn't have any real skilled opposition in Champ Car(I beg to differ, but that's another discussion), but its still foolish to ignore the person who has the best resume for the upcoming changes.
about 1 month ago
I agree that he should keep his drive. I feel that he has done enough to justify it. As long as Sato gets the second seat, I'm happy!
about 1 month ago
Sato sure was interesting, bring a rally technique to F1.
about 1 month ago
I want JPM back in F1 but then JPM hates F1 unless Prodrive is trying to make an appearance in F1 the 2009 season and can convince JPM with a joint deal for NASCAR and F1
about 1 month ago
JPM should go back to F1. NASCAR is getting too predictable and F1 is getting more interesting. I hope that once all the "Fufu" is removed from F1 cars, it will get even more interesting.
about 1 month ago
JPM is not doing anything in NASCAR, not even his fans are following his Nascar career. I wonder why he turn the offer down.
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