Zanardi to return to Formula One
Two-time CART champ to join Ralf Schumacher at Williams
Posted: Tuesday September 22, 1998 01:09 PM
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Zanardi (front) has won 14 of 48 races since joining the Target/Ganassi team in 1996 AP |
GROVE, England (AP) -- Two-time CART series champion Alex Zanardi
of Italy is returning to Formula One racing next year, joining Ralf
Schumacher at Williams.
The two drivers replace 1997 Formula One champion Jacques
Villeneuve and Heinz-Harald Frentzen at Williams. Villeneuve is
moving to the new British American racing and Frentzen is going to
Jordan.
Zanardi, 31, just wrapped up his second CART series title in the
United States driving for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing.
"I had opportunities to leave the team earlier on, but I never
considered them because I felt staying with Chip was the best
opportunity for me at the time," he said. "I feel that I have
gotten the most out of my three years and now it's time to turn a
page in my career."
He drove in 25 Formula One races from 1991 through 1994 for
Jordan Ford, Minardi Lamborghini, Lotus Ford and Lotus Mugen Honda.
His best finish was sixth place in the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix
for Lotus Ford.
Zanardi has won 14 of 48 races since joining the Target/Ganassi
team in 1996.
Terms were not disclosed, although reports suggested Zanardi
would earn $6.7 million and Schumacher $ 3.3 million.
The 23-year Schumacher is the younger brother of two-time
Formula One champion Michael Schumacher. He joined Jordan last
season and has yet to win a race.
Ralf Schumacher stared slowly this season but has finished
second and third in the last two Grand Prix races.
The moves leaves Williams, the top team in Formula One this
decade, with two drivers who have yet to win a Formula One race.
"We are excited at the prospect of welcoming a second
transatlantic champion to the team in Alex," owner Frank Williams
said, referring to Villeneuve, who joined Williams after winning
the Indianapolis 500 and the series championship.
"Ralf is showing great potential. We strongly believe that he
has a remarkable career ahead of him. They are both racers that
should be good competition for each other."
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