Brazilian Racing News Bits: Zonta, Barrichello, Castro Neves, and Kanaan
9 October 1997
Ricardo Zonta Aims for F-1 Ride in 1998 Ricardo Zonta is the champion of F-3000 in 1998. He took the title in Mugello, Italy in the last weekend of September. Zonta won the race and now has a 11 points lead over Juan Pablo Montoya. Zonta is testing for Jordan and has great chances of getting a place at the Silverstone based team as a test driver for 1998. "It is like a dream for me to race in F-1, but I dont want to make a step that is too big for my legs. I want to be a test driver for next season, so I can learn a lot for 1998. I will have the opportunity to work with Damon Hill, already world champion in F-1, and I hope to learn a lot with him." said the brazilian from Curitiba. "F-1 is a very closed world, there are only the 22 top drivers in the world. Imagine this, there are so many great drivers running in lower series, and only 1 or 2 get the chance to enter this world. Next season it will be only Alexander Wurz that will be new, all others are older drivers with more experience". The last race of the F-3000 season will be in Estoril, October 25th. by Adriana Rodrigues Barrichello renew his contract with Stewart Rubens Barrichello renewed his contract with Stewart today and will be partner of Jan Magnussen for 1998. "I am very happy with the work that Rubens has done this season. I knew he was a great driver, but he surprised me with his great maturity, experience and speed. Jan had a bad start of season, but recovered very well in the last 5 races and deserves the chance to drive again in 1998," said Jackie Stewart, team owner and triple F-1 world champion. by Marc Zimmermann Helio Castro Neves and Tony Kanaan Tony Kanaan is still in Brazil and talking to his sponsors and future sponsors to get the money to race next season in CART, alongside Andre Ribeiro in the Marlboro Tasman. Helio Castro Neves hasn't yet made any announcement about his future. Emerson Fittipaldi, his manager, is talking to some teams and is trying to get the best package for Helio in 1998. by Adriana Rodrigues