Jeddah Corniche Circuit

SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX

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December 21, 2004
Published on tags: Superleague
After two years of having Danka as their major sponsor, recent rumours proved true when Phoenix F1 confirmed a full package of sponsor deals for the 2005 season, headed by a new major sponsor in the form of Japanese camera manufacturer Canon.

Zepter and Budweiser are carried forward on existing deals into 2005.

Having last sponsored Phoenix F1 in 2003 Camozzi return to the team, as do Bridgestone who will hopefully provide a tyre advantage come race day.

Last of the major changes is signing Mobil as fuel supplier with the previous Shell contract not being renewed.

So, the 2005 livery is well under way, but the 'Danka blue' and white of the teams fledgling years looks like a thing of the past.

Jason Endean and Kieran Ryan are now starting to prepare for season 2005, with testing expected to start in around 3 weeks time.

Despite recent EIRE rumours regarding Kieran Ryan, his contract is "water-tight". It is known that Ponissi and Ryan are good friends, and the EIRE Press Office are obviously running short of things to say in the run up to Christmas!

On the test driver front, the team are still awaiting final Rules clarification for 2005 before committing to signing any further drivers. It is rumoured that test seats could be limited to a certain number, and that teams may have to pay substantial penalties if they replace any drivers (race or test) once the season has started.

Once further news is available, the team will announce details of test drivers.

It remains for the Phoenix F1 team to wish al owners, managers, drivers and admin staff a very Merry Christmas, but not a Happy New Year (as their drivers will be seeing the 'Canon' logo on our rear wings a lot in 2005!