DECEMBER 11, 2001

BAR to hire another Japanese driver?

BRITISH AMERICAN RACING is believed to be interested in replacing 2001 test driver Takuma Sato with another Japanese driver, possibly Toshihiro Kaneshi, after Sato was signed by Jordan to drive alongside Giancarlo Fisichella in 2002.

Kaneshi, a 22 year old from Osaka, won the German F3 Championship in 2001 after Opel Team BSR teammate, Frank Diefanbacher, was disqualified from the final round of the series by the German motor sport government for an overtaking maneuver under yellow flags.

Both BAR and Jordan have been keen to employ a Japanese driver, as both teams are trying to secure an exclusive long-term engine deal with Honda.