Wilson Will be in F1 Next Year, Says Stoddart

Briton Justin Wilson is sure to stay in Formula One next year but possibly not with Minardi, his current team boss Paul Stoddart said today.

"As far as I am concerned, if he is not driving for Minardi he will be driving for another F1 team next year," the Australian told Reuters at the British Grand Prix.

"I don't really make any great secret of the fact that I'd like to see him move on and do well. It's my goal to find him a home. I have no doubt in quite genuinely saying that Justin will be in Formula One in 2004."

Paddock speculation has linked the 1.90 metres-tall rookie, whose height had been seen as a career disadvantage before his Grand Prix debut this year, primarily to Jaguar as a replacement for Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia.

Jaguar's other driver, Australian Mark Webber, was signed from Minardi at the end of last year and has been one of the season's success stories. He recently agreed a new contract to the end of 2005.

Minardi have a history of bringing promising drivers into the sport and then placing them with top teams - before Webber, it was Spaniard Fernando Alonso and Italians Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli.

Wilson has had to pay for his drive at hard-up Minardi however, turning himself into a limited company and selling shares to raise $2.0 million.

The 24-year-old has also been linked to BAR in a rumour mill picking up pace in the latter half of the season, a move that would offer the prospect of an all-British lineup with Jenson Button.

Some Formula One sources have suggested that while BAR's engine partners Honda are eager to promote Japanese test driver Takuma Sato, who drove for Jordan last year in an accident-strewn season, the team are less convinced.

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 World Champion for Williams, is Button's current partner. His contract expires at the end of the year.