Briscoe to skip racing in 2004

Euroseries Formula 3 champion Ryan Briscoe will devote himself to testing with Toyota next season, according to a story in this week's AUTOSPORT Magazine.

There's a strong possibility that Briscoe will take part in selected Friday tests at Grands Prix, including his home race at Melbourne.

"It is a good way to evaluate his experience in real conditions," said Toyota team manager Ange Pasquali. "And of course it would be a very good experience for him.

"I cannot see any category where he could race and increase his experience. Maybe there are some series, but maybe for marketing reasons it would not be very clever."

Dallara Nissan is effectively ruled out by Briscoe's Toyota connections, and Briscoe is not keen on a return to Formula 3000 after his troubled 2002 campaign in the category.

The Australian is contracted to the Japanese car giant will likely miss out on any racing in 2004, but believes taking up a test role would be a good career move.

Ricardo Zonta will continue as a Toyota test driver for 2004 and is still expected to do the majority of the Friday tests.