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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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June 06, 2002
Panasonic Stealth-Honda arrived in Montreal this week under a cloud, but has emerged into the bright sunshine. After the disappointment of a double-DNS at Monaco, the team is back to full competition with #1 driver Joe Consiglio and interim replacement Erdem Coban, on loan from Hernj-Roaldo.

With the new drivers in place, Stealth had an excellent start to the event by qualifying 3rd and 8th on the grid. Joe Consiglio will start from the second row, the only driver besides the BMW's to post a lap under 1:17. Consiglio was looking forward to the race: "The track continues to suit me and the car well, and we're in excellent position for a podium finish" he said.

Erdem Coban came in with just a few days notice, and despite having "only about 15 laps" experience, still posted a time well in the 1:17's. "With a bit more time I could have shaved another three or four tenths off my time, but overall I'm pleased with the performance and it's nice to be back racing again" stated Coban.

Team Principal Ted Cragg was very comforted by the results. "It's just so great to have the team running on all cylinders again, and this result already shows that we can easily overcome adversity. It is perfect timing too, as this is our home race and a chance to celebrate how far the team has come in scarcely two months since Stealth Grand Prix took over."

Panasonic Stealth-Honda has certainly grabbed the spotlight this week, with its recruitment of Erdem Coban, its overcoming of the setbacks of the past couple weeks, and this being the home race of the team. Coban of course left the former MaMa team a couple months ago in a dispute with the previous management, and this week marked his first contact with the team since then. As Hernj-Roaldo boss Roald Reurink stated, "The manager of Stealth asked me to loan out Erdem Coban. Of course that was no problem, so I asked Erdem and he agreed :). We will get some money for this, so that's good, and we also help Ted with his driver problems and maybe we can help him in the future again. Or likewise ;). Do your best Erdem, go for it. Also good luck to Stealth and all the others."

As Cragg explained, this marks a big week for Stealth in more ways than one. "This really is our biggest week of the year, both Panasonic Stealth-Honda and our GP2World team, Canon Stealth-Porsche are competing in Montreal. It is a chance for us to entertain sponsors, give tours of our headquarters, and enjoy the Canadian hospitality that we miss when we're off traveling around the world. Rest assured, there will be a great party at Newtown's this week!" he said.