Briscoe next in Jones' wheeltracks.
01/03/2001
Australian F1 drivers have been few and far between in recent years - indeed think no further than David Brabham and Alan Jones in the last 20 or so - but the new century is throwing up a whole raft of talented young Aussies.
James Courtney, who was recently signed as Jaguar development driver and one of the team's drivers in the British F3 championship this year was this week handed Australia's highest motorsport award. Courtney was named 'Motorsportsman of the Year' at the Australian Motorsport Awards and was also awarded a share of the 'International Driver of the Year' award with Benetton tester Mark Webber.
Meanwhile, an unknown Australian 19-year old has walked into one of the most sought after posts in motorsport - junior development driver at 2002 F1 hopefuls Toyota.
Sydney-born karter Ryan Briscoe beat out seven other hopefuls to join Mika Salo and Allan McNish at the Japanese team. Briscoe, who won the North American kart title in 1998 and then the Italian Formula A championship, was spotted by Toyota's team manager Ange Pasquali at a round of the Italian kart championship.
Briscoe will now be sponsored by Toyota to take part in the Italian Formula Renault championship, and several rounds of the European Renault championship, as well as preparing for next year's German F3 championship.
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