Formula 1

Verstappen still looking for race seat

Although the chances seem slim, Jos Verstappen is still aiming to be racing at some point this season according to his manager Huub Rothengatter. Verstappen was in line for a test drive with Sauber after he was ousted from Arrows earlier this year ...

Edited: Apr 15, 2002, 11:45 PM

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Although the chances seem slim, Jos Verstappen is still aiming to be racing at some point this season according to his manager Huub Rothengatter. Verstappen was in line for a test drive with Sauber after he was ousted from Arrows earlier this year but now that has fallen through because the Dutchman is too tall. Sauber drivers Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld are both on the small side and Verstappen's height meant too many changes would need to be made to the car.

"I have spoken with Huub Rothengatter and told him we cannot offer Jos a contract," Peter Sauber said. "The height differences between the drivers are too large and preparing a T-car just for Jos does not make any sense."

Rothengatter explained the problem a little more: "If Jos would have to step in a Grand Prix weekend into a Sauber which is meant for another driver it would take at least three hours to change everything," he said. "This is a giant practical problem. No changes had to be done on the monocoque, but things like pedals, steering column, seat and the seat belt construction. This is almost the whole of the interior of the cockpit. Mission impossible if you want to drive as well in that weekend."

There don't seem too many options open for Verstappen now but Rothengatter seems surprisingly confident that the Dutchman will race before too much longer. "We are working very hard to get Jos into a Formula One seat and we are very confident," he commented. "It wouldn't surprise me if he will be driving a Grand Prix before we are half way through this Formula One season."

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