Justin Wilson confirmed at Newman Haas Lanagan
Discussion
Big chance for a title and probably the last season for NHL in Champ Car if they and the IRL don't sort out a merger because the team have hinted they'll be going to the IRL if things don't change.
Autosport said:
Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing (NHLR) have announced that British driver Justin Wilson will join Graham Rahal for the 2008 Champ Car World Series season.
Wilson had driven for the RuSPORT team since the 2005 season, having scored five victories in 55 starts.
The 29-year-old Briton will take the seat left vacant by Sebastien Bourdais, who left Champ Car at the end of the season to race in Formula One with Toro Rosso.
"I am extremely pleased and proud to be joining Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing," said Wilson. "For the entire time I have been competing in Champ Car, they have been the strongest team. Sebastien (Bourdais) has left pretty big shoes to fill but I have big feet.
"Joking aside, I am excited to have the opportunity to add to the results Sebastien and other drivers before me have achieved for the team. I am hoping to learn my environment quickly and let the results take care of themselves.
"I am confident that with having a team like this behind me, we can be championship contenders for 2008."
Team co-owner Carl Haas added: "Paul (Newman), Mike (Lanigan) and I are excited about our line-up of Justin Wilson and Graham Rahal.Graham ran well for us in his rookie season last year and showed the potential to win races.
"Over the past three seasons, Justin has consistently been one of the strongest challengers for the championship and we are now looking forward to having him represent us and again being a contender for the title."
Wilson had driven for the RuSPORT team since the 2005 season, having scored five victories in 55 starts.
The 29-year-old Briton will take the seat left vacant by Sebastien Bourdais, who left Champ Car at the end of the season to race in Formula One with Toro Rosso.
"I am extremely pleased and proud to be joining Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing," said Wilson. "For the entire time I have been competing in Champ Car, they have been the strongest team. Sebastien (Bourdais) has left pretty big shoes to fill but I have big feet.
"Joking aside, I am excited to have the opportunity to add to the results Sebastien and other drivers before me have achieved for the team. I am hoping to learn my environment quickly and let the results take care of themselves.
"I am confident that with having a team like this behind me, we can be championship contenders for 2008."
Team co-owner Carl Haas added: "Paul (Newman), Mike (Lanigan) and I are excited about our line-up of Justin Wilson and Graham Rahal.Graham ran well for us in his rookie season last year and showed the potential to win races.
"Over the past three seasons, Justin has consistently been one of the strongest challengers for the championship and we are now looking forward to having him represent us and again being a contender for the title."
Excellent news for Justin, it's pretty much been the worst kept secret in motorsport this winter but dead cert deals can fall through, so it's great to hear it confirmed.
Hope NHL stick to Champ Car, they've been a stalwart of the series and it's one of the few American series I find of any interest these days. I guess the differences between the US and the rest of the world in relation to motorsport are getting bigger all the time.
Hope NHL stick to Champ Car, they've been a stalwart of the series and it's one of the few American series I find of any interest these days. I guess the differences between the US and the rest of the world in relation to motorsport are getting bigger all the time.
Met him at Road America and like a true gentleman signed a Jaguar F1 cap for one of my sons--age 11. Justin asked him if he knew anything about F1, and my son replied, "You were in the points at the United States Grand Prix". Justin is a very engaging personality and I know he will do well at NHL.
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