OrangeArrows signs Verstappen for 2002

The OrangeArrows team is delighted to announce today (23rd June 2001) that 29 year-old Dutchman, Jos Verstappen, will continue racing for the team in 2002.

"I'm very happy to be staying for another year", said Verstappen, "as continuity in Formula One can never be underestimated. I have huge confidence in the OrangeArrows team and this shows they have confidence in me too. It's great that we have been able to do this at such an early stage in the season as it motivates me to focus on my driving without worrying about anything else. I would like to say thank you to Tom for having faith in me and providing the stability to help me progress. "

After re-joining the team in 2000, Verstappen has made impressive progress, scoring five valuable World Championship points in 2000, and taking OrangeArrows' first point of the 2001 season in Austria just a few weeks ago. A very popular man within the team, he has delighted everyone by his charging driving style. Indeed in the first eight races of the season he has made no less than 59 separate, successful overtaking manoeuvres. More than any other driver.

Commenting on the announcement Team Principal, Tom Walkinshaw, said, "We're extremely happy that Jos has agreed to stay with OrangeArrows. We had an option on him for 2002 and Jos has agreed that we can exercise that option. Jos has shown this year that he is a fantastic racing driver who is improving all the time so we are very much looking forward to seeing him drive this team up the rankings, for the second half of this season and the next."

-Arrows