As for Jos Verstappen, Jos and I go back a long ways. He drove for me in 2003, but I go back as far as '97 with Jos and we have a good working relationship. I think he would be an asset to the series. I think he would be an asset to Minardi Team USA and, yes, there is negotiations going on, but again, there will be no announcements this side of the New Year.
Q:
And your thoughts on another Dutchman, Robert Doornbos?
PS:
Robert, another ex-Minardi driver, a driver I've worked with and a driver I thought did incredibly well in the second half of '05, and obviously had another chance to do the last three races of the 2006 F1 season. Again, Robert is someone we are talking to. I think as you guys, particularly the Holland media know, I myself personally and indeed through Minardi have had a tremendous relationship with Holland over the years and long may it continue. So expect some exciting announcements in the New Year.
Q:
When you talked to us in Australia, we asked if you were just bored, what really drove you, did you want to get back to
F1. In the final analysis, what was the one thing that made you want to come to Champ Car? The fact that you didn't have to raise $300 million, or the fact that you just missed racing? Or can you be more specific?
PS:
First of all, I think it was the fact that I found a team that I could identify with. Keith touched on it very briefly in the opening address when he said that he and I gelled and got on really from the first minute we met, and that is true. You do have a warm feeling when you meet people, whether they are people you can work with and think like-mindedly to yourself and you think you can go forward with them.
