November 30, 2003
Phoenix F1 team boss Andy Graydon was delighted to confirm that a signed contract was now in place that means Jan Kelder will be testing for the team during the 2004 season. Jan's race contract ended earlier in the week, and it menas that both race drivers in 2003 are still with the team (although Jan's role is now different).

Jan had the following to say at a hastily held press conference:-

"One and a half month ago I announced my retirement decision from sim racing in the F1VWC League to spend more time with other hobbies such as on-line flight simulation and music (midi). Talking about that with team boss Andy Graydon, we both concluded that a test role for the Phoenix F1 team could keep me involved in the team and the league.

So I decided to grant an offer to do some testing for the Phoenix F1 team, although it will not be a full-time testing role. On principle the role will be limited to testing during the 2004 race season, but could be extended in unexpected situations.

After the successful 2003 season I feel very committed to the Phoenix F1 team of course and I hope developments will continue next year.

I wish everybody good luck for the upcoming F1VWC season."

So it appears that Jan will probably not be seen much in pre-season testing, leaving the door open for maybe a couple more drivers in test roles for the team.

News is still awaited regarding the 'big name' driver signing a test contract for the team.

It is also not known if Mark Nieuwlaar (who undertook some testing duties in 2002 and 2003 and is the current F1VWC lap record holder at Magny Course for the Phoenix F1 team) will return in a similar role for 2004. At one stage he was rumoured to have been in discussion about a race seat for 2004.