Stewart: I would have given Pizzonia time
Jackie Stewart has told Jaguar bosses that sacked rookie Antonio Pizzonia should have been given more time to prove his worth as a Formula One driver.
The 22-year-old Brazilian has been replaced 11 races into the season by Britain’s Justin Wilson, who will see out the last five grand prix.
“I would have given Pizzonia more time,” said Stewart, whose team was renamed Jaguar after he sold it to American car giant Ford.
“I think he was progressing and he is only 22 years of age. But he did have great difficulty qualifying with the one lap format.”
Stewart, who remains on the board of Jaguar, did not have a say in the decision to axe Pizzonia on Monday.
Pizzonia has rejected Jaguar’s offer to stay on a reserve and test driver while fellow rookie Wilson will make his debut in Germany on Sunday week after switching from Minardi.
Stewart once advised Wilson that he was too tall to become an F1 driver when he was competing in Formula Three in the team set by his son Paul.
