Jos returns in Formula 1 with Stewart ...
Published on 19 June 1998 by Verstappen Info Page
Jos returns in Formula 1 with Stewart Grand Prix !
Jos is very pleased about the decision taken by teambosses Jackie and Paul Stewart and said: "I am of course very pleased with the decision of the Stewart team. During the whole of this test session I cooperated very good and in a very positive way with the team. I already feel very much at home with the team. I know a lot of the mechanics already from my time at Arrows and Benetton and driving with Ford engines. Furthermore I have a lot of faith in designer Alan Jenkins who I already know from my time with Arrows. Together with him we can work hard on improving an already very good car. Of course I am looking forward to my first Grand Prix this season, next weekend in France."
In a press release from Stewart the team announced: "After completing a promising three-day test at Magny Cours this week with Rubens Barrichello, it was felt that Verstappen's feedback about the car's performance would prove beneficial to the team in moving it's 1998 programme forward." Furthermore they said: "The Stewart-Ford team completed a two car test at Magny Cours. Both Jos and Rubens worked trough a number of programmes in an effort to arrive at a satisfactory set-up for the French Grand Prix."
During the fanclub spectacle days in and around the Jos Verstappen Kartcenter in Echt, The Netherlands, de Stewart car of Jos will already be on display. The car will transported to The Netherlands tonight and the fans that come will have the premiere of Jos with his new car. It is of course unique that the two happy events occurs at the same time.
The Stewart team is the youngest team that competes in Formula 1 at this moment. Last year they had their debut with drivers Rubens Barrichello and Jan Magnussen. The team uses the Ford Zetec-R V10 custom engine and uses Bridgestone tyres. The Stewart SF-2 has been designed by Alan Jenkins, the man who was also responsible for the design of the Arrows when Jos drove for that team in 1996.
Stewart Grand Prix is founded by Paul and Jackie Stewart. Jackie Stewart is a legend in Formula 1. John Young Stewart as is his full name was born on June 11, 1939 at Dumbarton in Scotland and started racing in 1962. In 1965 he entered Formula 1 for the first time in a BRM. That year he immediately ended as third in the championship. In 1969 he became World Champion for the first time in a Matra Ford, a team then led by Ken Tyrrell. In 1971 and 1973 he was World Champion again in a Tyrrell-Ford. At the end of 1973 he quit racing. Jackie then became a consultant for Ford, responsible for research and development. Jackie and his wife Helen have two sons, Paul and Mark. Together with oldest son Paul he founded Stewart Grand Prix of which he now is Chairman.
Paul Stewart, also born in Dumbarton but then on October 20, 1965 is, as told, the oldest son of Jackie and Helen Stewart. Just like his father he has also raced in different classes ranging from Formule Ford 1600 to the European Formula 3000 championship. Paul's dirvinf experience in Formula 1 was limited to a test session in a Footwork Arrows at Silverstone in 1993. Together with his father they founded Paul Stewart Racing in 1988. At the end of 1993 Paul decided to quit racing and to concentrate on the managerial side of racing. Paul now is managing director of Stewart Grand Prix. He is married to Victoria and together they have two sons, Dylan and Lucas.
More information on Stewart can be found on our Stewart page.
Pictures by Frits van Eldik
