Gene a 'safe pair of hands'

The decision to go with the Spaniard, who is likely to drive at Silverstone as well rather than try Antonio Pizzonia or someone like BAR tester Anthony Davidson, is driven by the feeling that Gene is a safe pair of hands.

"There were not many doubts [from the team], which is very pleasing for me," Gene said in France. "Antonio is a very good driver and very fast, but from the first day they said that they wanted me to do the job. I think all the Jacques Villeneuve stuff is more in the media than with the team."

Asked if his expected consistency was the key, Gene said: "That's the feeling I get, but they haven't spoken to me about it."

At Monza last year Gene had to step in on Saturday morning to replace Schumacher, having missed a day of free practice, and did a fine job to finish the race fifth.

"I had no notice in Monza but this time the momentum has built up," he said. "I knew for sure on Tuesday night, when Frank called me and told me there would be a press release on Wednesday morning. I knew it was likely it was going to be me but I've been in F1 a long time and I know you can't say it's done until it's 100 percent.

"I'm surprised to be here again, to be honest, because F1 cars are very safe and some test drivers have been in F1 many years and never had the chance, whereas I've had the chance twice in eight months."

Gene thinks that Williams has only confirmed him for Magny-Cours because it is keeping its options open.

"It is very, very likely to be me at Silverstone," he said, "but I think they want to make sure that anything they want to do, they can do."