Williams re-sign tester Gene

The 27-year-old joined Williams last December after two years racing for Minardi. Since quitting racing to become a tester, he has completed over 6,000 miles of running.

Team boss Frank Williams said: "Marc's contribution to the team has been invaluable, so we are delighted to have retained his services for next year. A test driver of his calibre is a real find and his work on the development of [this year's] FW23 has proved a bonus for everyone in the team."

Gene, who was on testing duty just last week at Magny-Cours, said: "Testing for the team this year has been great for me as I have gained an enormous amount of experience, so I am very happy to sign for another year. I know I still have a lot more to learn and feel extremely lucky to be able to remain with the team.

"I see the challenge next year is to fight for the championships, and the chance to contribute to that in even the smallest way motivates me. The team is incredibly professional and I am hoping this experience will bring me closer to my ultimate goal - a full-time drive in a top team."

Gene's new deal will be a disappointment to Formula 3000 drivers Antonio Pizzonia and Ricardo Sperafico, both of whom are eyeing testing deals with Williams. The pair drive for the Petrobras F3000 team, which is Williams' official junior arm, and are due to test for the Formula 1 outfit in the next few weeks.

But they may still have a chance for an official Williams testing deal. If the winter testing ban is enforced as planned, the F1 teams may need more than one test driver to carry out the intense amount of running that will be needed at the start of the new year.