The Japanese Grand Prix weekend is just to be kicked off when Flavio Briatore, late Tom Walkinshaw and Pedro Diniz have something to tell. Tom announced that Pedro would become Damon’s teammate for 1997. Helped with the sponsorship from Parmalat. While Flavio stated that, he released Pedro early from his duties for the Ligier team so he can focus himself on Arrows after the 1996 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The plan was to have the Brazilian as quickly as possible in the Footwork FA17 to be known with the car and the team.
It might be a bit confusing I am using both Arrows and Footwork in the article. Some background information is needed to understand the situation back in 1996. In 1995, Footwork faced a difficult financial situation at the start of the season. That situation became more complicated during the season. Their luck was Morbidelli’s podium finish at Adelaide (the only podium for Footwork) and another point finish in Canada. Which gave them a bit more financial stability. At the end of the season both Alan Rees and Jackie Oliver bought back the shares from Footwork owner Ohashi.
However, the team would continue baring the name Footwork until the end of the season. On the official entry list, the team entered as Footwork and not Arrows. Back then, it was not allowed to change the team name in mid-season. The teams’ future was secured in March 1996 when Tom Walkinshaw and his associate Darnbrough acquired 40% and 11% of the shares. Jackie Oliver kept 49% of the shared. This meant Oliver had not the controlling interest anymore for the team.
Eventually, in mid-season the decision was made that the team would continue racing as TWR Arrows from 1997 onwards.
Pedro Diniz debuted in 1995 with Forti in the Formula One and moved for 1996 towards Ligier where he had a decent season scoring twice a point. Without the crazy win in Monaco, Olivier Panis would have only scored three points that season. The negotiations with Arrows for 1997 started earlier in the season. Damon Hill was signed and a second driver who had talent though had the money was searched for. I do believe the search only took a minute or so. Both Tom and Pedro had worked with each other at Ligier. It is a strange story as well, which deserves an article on its own.
At Suzuka, the Brazilian said about the deal with Arrows for 1997 “Tom, TWR and myself enjoyed a very positive relationship during our time together at Ligier so I know from experience that they are people I can achieve things with. I have enormous respect for the way Tom Walkinshaw goes racing and the all-round strength of the package he has put together for 1997 made the decision very easy for me. The potential of this team is enormous – next year can’t come soon enough”
All signs were on green. As said, the plan was to have Pedro as quickly as possible in the Arrows. Arrows’ PR team believed it would be possible to combine Pedro’s first meters in the Arrows with some PR during the ITCC (International Touring Car Championship) meeting at São Paulo in the weekend of 26th and 27th of October. Diniz was to drive with the FA17 a couple of laps during that weekend. Only a few days prior the ITCC meeting the demonstration laps were cancelled for logistical reasons.
Diniz his first taste with the Arrows would be a week later when he had his first test with the Arrows team at Estoril. During that same test weekend, German Jörg Müller tested as well with Arrows. He would join the team as their tests driver eventually. People still see Pedro Diniz as pay-driver. Sure, he did buy his way into the Formula One (Stroll is equal to Diniz in 2025) yet his potential became only with better material. In 1997 and 1998 when he drove for Arrows, he scored five points. In 1999 he made the move to Sauber where scored another three points. Eventually he came in the scope for Ferrari as well.
Even in 2025, people still underestimate Pedro’s real talent, if you ask me, and seem not to want to accept he did a better job than many Formula One drivers that followed after him. Especially in the year when the top 8 and later the top 10 started to score points.
