Published on 02 December 1997 by Verstappen Info Page

At the Tyrrell-B.A.T. pressconference ... At the Tyrrell-B.A.T. pressconference a new F1 team for 1999 was announced: British American Racing. The team will be formed by 4 parties joining forces: British American Tobacco, Reynard, Craig Pollock and Tyrrell. The Tyrrell team will continue independently in 1998.
Ken Tyrrell said in London today that it was probably the hardest decision in his life to take distance from his team. "We have ended up at the back of the grid which takes away the fun of the sport", the 73 year old Englishman said who will slip into retirement after 1998. His son Bob and the rest of the team will move over to the new organisation.

As expected no announcements were made concerning the drivers of the team in London. Jacques Villeneuve has been linked with the team for 1999 because of his ties with Pollock. The decision of Toranosuke Takagi's partner next year will be one of the priorities on the agendas of Tyrrell and its new partners.
The new team has opened a new site on internet.