JUNE 23, 2001
Arrows confirm Verstappen contract extension
ARROWS announced on Saturday that Dutchman Jos Verstappen will remain with the team for the 2002 season after they exercised an option to keep him.
Verstappen will spend a third year with the Leafield-based team and he believes that the early decision on his future will motivate him towards success in the second half of the current season.
"I am very happy to be staying for another year," said Verstappen. "I have huge confidence in the team and this shows they have confidence in me too.
"It's great that we have been able to do this at such an early stage in the season as it motivates me to focus my driving without worrying about anything else."
Verstappen scored his first point of the season in Austria and has put in some impressive and aggressive performances for the team so far this year.
Arrows claim that Verstappen has made no less than 59 overtaking maneuvers in the first eight races of the year and they are delighted to keep him.
"Jos has shown this year that he is a fantastic racing driver who is improving all the time," said team boss Tom Walkinshaw. "We are very much looking forward to seeing him drive this team up the rankings."
Verstappen made his debut in 1994 with Benetton and has clocked up 82 races in his Grand Prix career to date.