BMW to run Vettel on Fridays next year

Most outfits are likely to use only their two race drivers in the two 90-minute Friday practice sessions, even though the FIA has agreed that teams can run with a third driver if they want.

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen has said that his team intend to run Vettel instead of one of their race drivers.

"That is our intention," he said. "We will take the opportunity to have the third driver in the car on Fridays. We will see how much time we give him.

"It is the clear intention not to have Sebastian here just as a reserve driver but give him the opportunity to work through a race weekend."

Although the team have not decided yet whether Vettel will have to run in either Nick Heidfeld or Robert Kubica's car or his own separate chassis, Theissen is adamant that the move will not prove disruptive.

"If you asked the two race drivers they would probably prefer to do the entire Friday," he explained.

"But from a team perspective it is more important to have the three drivers up to the game and that means the third drivers should not just be at test venues but at race weekends, getting in the car and getting used to it.

"Because if anything happens to the race drivers he has to step in immediately and he has to perform. From a team's perspective, it is not disruptive, it is a help."

Vettel's plans for Friday could result in the German opting out of making the move to the GP2 Series next year, because of the logistical difficulties of moving between categories on a grand prix weekend.

Speaking to autosport.com, Vettel said he hoped to race - and it is believed he could be considering competing in the World Series by Renault category.

"It would be nice to race, but we have to sort out now what we can do," he said. "It is quite a tough programme already to be a test driver and to do something extra is not easy, but I think we will find something.

"If you have a look, there is not so much stuff you can do. The problem with GP2 is that it is a very good series, but if you are a test driver on Fridays then it clashes. So we have to wait and see."

Vettel has openly admitting that he hopes that his year's testing in 2007 will lead to a race seat with BMW-Sauber the following year.

When asked if that was his aim, he said: "Yes, yes! Next year is a year to see how I get on and then we will see what is possible."