December 02, 2003
Having attempted to sign Daniel Wilkinson as early as pre-season GPVWC 2003, Phoenix F1 team boss Andy Graydon was elated to have contracted the experienced Australian as a test driver for 2004.

Australian Daniel Wilkinson, 2nd in the F1VWC 2003 Drivers Championship and six times race winner in 2003, was today officially confirmed as a Phoenix F1 test driver for 2004.

Team owner Andy Graydon and Wilkinson have known each other since 2001, when they both joined the BSR team and raced in the LFRS. Phoenix F1 tried to sign Daniel over a year ago, but EIRE had seen his talent and ensured he was contracted for the F1VWC 2003 before any other teams could approach him.

Daniel had the following to say:

"I'm very happy to have signed with the Phoenix F1 Grand Prix Team, a team I see as having a solid management with which to move them forward. This move is in no way a reflection on my stay at EIRE, a stay which I thoroughly enjoyed - and I wish them all the best for the future."

Andy was very pleased, especially for the Phoenix F1 team itself:

"We have a VERY experienced testing line up of Jan Kelder and Daniel Wilkinson, and with both of their input I'm sure it will make the 2004 car very competitive. Antonio Irisarri (race driver) will benefit from the testers input - I know that Daniel was full of praise for Antonio's performance in 2003, so hopefully this signing will be a major positive influence on him as a race driver."