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Formula Sprint 2
Japanese Grand Prix
Suzuka International Racing Course
Tuesday 2nd of April 2024 19:00:00
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April 27, 2002
BA Racing have signed up the talented Colombian, Antonio Irisarri, as test/reserve driver. The contract is thought to be for 2002 only. Acting Team Manager, Dan Lawrence, was quick to defend #2 Mal Mckee aswell, promising that his seat was safe.

Lawrence commented; "We contacted 4 drivers with a view to filling this position, but feel Antonio is the best for the job. In actual fact he has been available to sign for many weeks, yet no-one has signed him! ...which strikes me as very strange considering he is a talented driver!

We had a short round of talks with Mehemet Coban, but terminated thse talks straight away as it was obvious he was talking to a few other teams, meaning it would have taken a while to sort a deal out. We don't have time, as time is money, but as it happens Antonio was quick and polite in his response to our initial offer, so we signed him."

Lawrence stressed that this signing was purely to fill the testing berth, and in no way a threat to #2 Mal Mckee; "Mal's seat is safe until seasons end, that I can promise. I, personally, have hell of a lot of faith in Mal, and as a driver am working hard with him to ensure he gets the results he, and of course the team, deserve."

Antonio was unavailable for comment as we went to press, but is understood to be very happy with the signing.