Team Red Bull Sauber Petronas and Pedro Diniz today agreed on their co-operation for the next year. The 28-year-old Brazilian will become Jean Alesi's new teammate for the 1999 Formula One season.

"We are delighted that we could sign Pedro Diniz who has the necessary experience with four years in Formula One and 65 Grands Prix under his belt," team principal Peter Sauber commented. "Compared to his high-rated teammates his performance in the past two years has impressed us more than his regularly mentioned relationship with strong business partners. We will give Pedro Diniz the opportunity to prove his potential as a driver alongside Jean Alesi. I am convinced that with Jean Alesi and Pedro Diniz we will have the strong driver pairing in the coming season to reach our ambitious goals."

"I am very much looking forward to working with Peter Sauber and his team," said Pedro Diniz. "Red Bull Sauber Petronas has the technical potential and the human resources to make an important step forward in teh next season. What tipped the scale in favour of joining Red Bull Sauber Petronas has been the fact that Peter Sauber and his partners first of all rated me on my performance in Formula One so far. I will do my very best to justify the confidence placed in me with adequate results. The fact that there has always been a very good atmosphere at Team Red Bull Sauber Petronas has further helped my decision."