Disappointed Wilson Seeks to Stay in F1

Justin Wilson has revealed that he had expected to be dropped by Jaguar "for some time" but insisted he will fight to retain a place with the team in a test driver role.

Briton Wilson, who joined Jaguar for five races last season after replacing Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, lost out on the race seat for 2004 to Austrian youngster Christian Klien.

Although Jaguar are keen to keep him on as a tester they will need a regulation change to do so because currently drivers who have raced in more than six races in the last two years cannot run on Friday mornings.

"It's disappointing," said Wilson. "I have known this was on the cards for a while. I know why they made the decision they have and there is little I can do about it. I'm still waiting to see what happens about the rule governing test driving.

"I would like to remain with the team in a test driver role. Minardi is also a possibility."

Wilson was especially disappointed because he set the fastest time of any Jaguar driver in last week's test at Valencia in Spain but was still dropped by the team after Klien displayed impressive pace and consistency.

Jaguar team leader Australian Mark Webber was consistently half a second faster than Wilson last year and the Briton, whose contract had been extended to the end of the year, is now left on the Formula One scrapheap.

Even so, he is determined to fight back and stay in Formula One and told the Daily Mirror: "I did really well in testing last week. I came back after the break and was straight on the pace and was quick all day.

"It is a shame things have not worked out as I had hoped but it is not always a bad thing to struggle. In the past I have come back after a tough year and been even stronger the next. I believe I am a good driver and I want to stay in F1."