Zonta signs Jordan test deal
Alex Wurz's position as McLaren's test driver is due to be confirmed in the next month, following Jordan's announcement that Ricardo Zonta has signed a one-year deal as its test driver
Zonta's manager Geraldo Rodriguez confirmed that his driver, who has been released by British American Racing, had taken the deal because there were no real options to race or test available elsewhere. Jordan has secured full works status with Honda next year, joining BAR on the engine-supplier's roster, and Zonta's experience of the Japanese company's V10s and its methods of working will prove valuable.
The Brazilian had been tipped as a test driver for McLaren-Mercedes and was set to be announced at the US GP. But after the Woking-based team decided it only needed Wurz in light of the newly-confirmed 2001 testing restrictions, it held off announcing the Austrian to allow Zonta, who comes from the stable of engine-supplier Mercedes, to sort out his future.
The Brazilian will be replaced at BAR by former McLaren test driver Olivier Panis next season.
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