Antonio Pizzonia to race at Hockenheim | FerrariChat

Antonio Pizzonia to race at Hockenheim

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by imperial83, Jul 16, 2004.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. imperial83

    imperial83 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    May 14, 2004
    2,893
    Antonio Pizzonia headed a big field of Formula One test drivers at Jerez on Thursday, solidifying speculation he'll race a Williams at Hockenheim.

    The Brazilian test ace lapped faster than the likes of Jenson Button, world champion Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and team colleague Marc Gene.

    A source believes Sir Frank Williams has given him a green-light to prepare for Germany. The 24-year-old was dumped by Jaguar mid last-season but a Williams team insider told the Independent that Spaniard Gene has had 'two good cracks' to impress.

    He said the official reserve had driven 'averagely' in France and Britain.

    "Now it's Antonio's turn."

    The source said Pizzonia has got Ralf Schumacher's FW26 for one race only as it is hoped the injured German may be ready to return as F1 moves-on to Budapest.

    Frank Williams has branded fellow principal Eddie Jordan 'foolish' in demanding too much compensation for the release of German driver Nick Heidfeld.
    Source GMM / CAPSIS International
     
  2. Admiral Thrawn

    Admiral Thrawn F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2003
    3,932
    Well, he's proven he has the speed. Now all he needs to do is combine this with the ability to complete the race on Sunday!
     
  3. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2004
    10,117
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Marnix
    There's something poetic about Pizzonia having a go exactly a year after Jaguar sacked him. I've always felt Pizzonia was cut short by an inbalanced team that wasn't capable of running two cars. Seems as if they never were and still aren't. Williams was always keen on Pizzonia and it wasn't a surprise that Antonio was back at the wheel of a Williams a few months after he had left Jaguar, only to be the quickest during his testsession, just from the word go. In the final session at Jerez, he was quickest again during the final days. I think Pizzonia definatly has the speed, and perhaps a team like Williams can offer him an honest chance to proof his worth. If Antonio succeeds, I think we'll see him racing in F1 next year. If he doesn't, he will never get a chance ever again.
     
  4. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

    Jan 9, 2004
    7,765
    Nova Scotia Canada
    Full Name:
    Neil
    After seeing Pizzaboy flip that Jag with the reporter in it, I wouldn't let him drive a milk truck.
     
  5. imperial83

    imperial83 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    May 14, 2004
    2,893
    If Antonio Pizzonia fails to come in eight place or better at the Hockenheim GP, it will be the last season of F1 for him. That is it, plain and simple. Not many things in F1 are black and white but this one race is what it boils down to for Pizzonia.
     
  6. jordan747_400

    jordan747_400 F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 9, 2002
    6,928
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Jordan
    I thought I was the only one that remembered that.
     
  7. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2001
    2,684
    East Coast
    Full Name:
    Jon K.
    Well said ! He was erratic and dangerous in F3000. Yes he has speed but that's not what it takes to race in F1.

    He's another Zonta/Enge/Gene/DeLarosa type.

    He's bringing money !!!!! It's a damn shame no one will give Davidson a chance.

    He'd whip jungle boy in the Mercedes pace car!

    Webber had the same car as Pizzaboy and was way faster and I am no Webber fan so before you start touting him as the next Schumacher...that hold little water with me. Webber is a decent F1 driver along the likes of Coulthard, Trulli, Fisichella and such. He is not in my opinion the next Alonso, Kimi, or Button.

    Sad !

    Regards,

    Jon P. Kofod
    www.flatoutracing.net
     
  8. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2004
    10,117
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Marnix
    Patrick Head calls himself a 'fan' of Pizzonia, and I suspect he knows what he is talking about. It wasn't too surprising that Williams kept their faith and re-hired Pizzonia as their testdriver after Jaguar sacked him. May I remind you, by the way, that Justin Wilson couldn't do anything with the second Jag either. I'll agree that Mark Webber has a lot more to proof than being quick in qualifying before I'll look upon him as a future WDC, but stating that he drives the exact same car as Pizzonia is a little premature to say the least.

    So he rolled a Jag. Gerhard Berger took Jean Todt's brand new Delta Integrale for a quick spin...and wrote it off.
     
  9. imperial83

    imperial83 F1 Rookie
    BANNED

    May 14, 2004
    2,893
    Antonio Pizzonia
    "I am very happy to have been given this opportunity by the BMW WilliamsF1 Team and I will do my very best to assist the team in scoring some points. My total concentration is now on the forthcoming race weekend, and I have a clear preparation plan prior to Hockenheim."

    "My hope is that I can avoid a collision with Juan pablo Montoya for the first few laps atleast. This will avoid ending the hopes of the entire team in the forst couple of laps. There is no telling what can happen if the safety car comes out and I am ahead of Juan."
     
  10. GTE

    GTE F1 World Champ

    Jun 24, 2004
    10,117
    The Netherlands
    Full Name:
    Marnix
    PS, what exactly makes you think Davidson is a new star?

    He is quick on a friday, but what do you know about the state of his tyres and fuelloads? Sato beat him in Formula 3 and Ant didn't make a name for himself during his two races at Minardi. I'll admit he has potential, but I see no reason to conclude that Davidson is a far better proposition than Pizzonia. In fact, I don't think he is, since Pizzonia knows the FW26 and is hella quick with it.
     
  11. Mr Payne

    Mr Payne F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2004
    2,878
    Bakersfield, CA
    Full Name:
    Payne

    Umm, Fisichella absolutely destroyed Button when they were teammates.
     
  12. FLATOUTRACING

    FLATOUTRACING F1 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2001
    2,684
    East Coast
    Full Name:
    Jon K.
    Granted !!! But it was Button's second year (only fourth year in a race car) and the Benneton that year was a pig. The guy literally had one season of Formula Ford and one season of Formula 3 under his belt before F1.

    Fisi at one time had world class potential and I still hope he gets a Williams drive but he well past his "sell by date". Like Heinz Harold Frentzen he was never in the right place at the right time (although at least Frentzen got one good chance).

    I watched Pizzaboy race in F3000 and he was wild and eratic. Enge, Pantano, and Bourdais were not only much quicker, they were much better racers. And while at Jaguar Pizzaboy did nothing of particular note except crash that damn road car and two other Jaguar F1 cars.

    Jon
     
  13. Mr Payne

    Mr Payne F1 Rookie

    Jan 8, 2004
    2,878
    Bakersfield, CA
    Full Name:
    Payne
    I don't know, no one has proved to me that Fisichella is not a world class driver. He has never been outqualified over a season. I think a teammate has only gotten more points that him *once*.
     

Share This Page