Takagi Replaces Salo At Arrows.

As has been widely expected in recent weeks, Mika Salo has lost his seat at Arrows to the better-funded Japanese driver Toranosuke "Tora" Takagi.


The Leafield team confirmed the switch overnight, and also revealed that Salo has been released from the remainder of his contract to pursue alternative options.


It has long been rumoured that Takagi - who can bring backing from Japanese automotive supplier PIAA - was favoured among certain factions of Arrows' new-look management. Although team manager Tom Walkinshaw never wavered in his support for the highly-talented Salo, his financial partners pushed hard for the inclusion of Takagi alongside rookie Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa for 1999.


Despite the relative inexperience of his driver line-up - Tyrrell refugee Takagi has just one season under his belt - Walkinshaw has expressed his belief in the combination.


(Signing Toranosuke gives me a great deal of satisfaction,) the Scot said, (as I am confident that he and Pedro will work hard to take Arrows another step forward I its aim to achieve success in grand prix racing.)


(He has impressed me time and time again with his mature performance on the track,) Walkinshaw continued, (and he will no doubt become an exciting addition to the team.)


Takagi will make his first race appearance with the team in Melbourne this weekend, having tested regularly over the past few weeks.