Bradley Downton - team principal of Downton F1 - has today confirmed new World Champion Nathaniel Powers will join the team as of the season's final race in Mexico. He will join the British outfit for next season but it was highly anticipated that should he wrap the title up before the season's end he would make the move early. As it happens, that's exactly what has happened. Powers will drive alongside Team 23 reserve driver Jacinto van Slooten in the final round.
"We spoke behind closed doors with both Nathaniel and Jamie (Franklin F1 team boss) quite a while ago to discuss this matter. We came to the agreement that once Nathaniel had wrapped the Championship up he would jump into our car so as to get integrated into the team quicker. We know we can't give him the car to win in Mexico, and he knows that as well - in fact it'd be a miracle if he could score a point - but the idea is to integrate him into the team before next season. To show him how we work over a race weekend - maybe he can teach us something new having worked with an outfit as successful as Franklin." Powers said: "I'd like to thank Franklin - and Jamie in particular - for giving me my debut and this fantastic opportunity to show what I can do. I'd like to think I have made him proud despite the unfortunate end to our relationship. As of Mexico I will drive for Downton however I still hope I am invited to the party that will undoubtedly come about as a celebration of winning the Constructors Championship. The guys have been fantastic all year and this Championship is really thanks to them, without them I'd be nowhere, but I'd like to think they think they same. I'm looking forward to getting into the BD01 and trying my hand with what has proved to be a bit of a dog, hopefully I can get the car into the points and move the team back ahead of Fun F1 so we have a bit more money to help development next year." When asked whether he was worried about the financial difficulties Downton seem to be in Powers simply responded "I don't have anything to do with that side of it, so I can't comment. What I do know is that they are a fantastic bunch of guys who will work their nuts off to give me the best car they can. Hopefully I can help with developing the BD02 and turn it into a consistent points scorer. I don't think we're expecting wins, even podiums will probably be out of reach, but consistent points is what we're aiming for." With that Powers - in his new bright orange overalls - turned and walked back into the Downton F1 motorhome. It looks weird - seeing the man who won the Championship just a day ago in different overalls (especially for a team towards the back) - but it's something we have to get used to as an exciting new chapter in both careers.
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