F1 hopefuls take over testing

As Formula 1 continues its preparations for the US Grand Prix at three different tracks including Silverstone, Estoril and Mugello, four up-and-coming talents will be out to impress in an effort to to step up from Formula 1's feeder series.

After Indian Narain Karthikeyan kicks off with the Jordan team on Tuesday at Silverstone, Wilson will take over on Wednesday for his maiden F1 outing with two days of running. The 23-year-old has dominated this year's International F3000 series and also has a test lined up with McLaren later this year.

McLaren and Jordan will be joined at the Northamptonshire circuit by Arrows, Jaguar, BAR and Benetton. However, due to the logistical problems of getting over to America, teams may have to cut short their running to ensure equipment arrives on time.

Petrobras Jr team mates Antonio Pizzonia and Ricardo Sperafico are also running this week with the Williams team at Estoril. The Brazilian duo face a shootout for a possible second test driver slot with the BMW-powered team with one and a half day's running apiece starting on Wednesday.

Despite the fact that current Williams test driver Marc Gene has renewed his deal for next year, the team will likely be looking for a second tester to share its heavy winter workload, which is set to be increased due to testing bans.

The fourth F1 hopeful is Euro Formula 3000 champion Felipe Massa, who is expected to run at the third Formula 1 testing venue of the week, Mugello. Highly-rated Massa is due to drive for the Sauber team and could be a possible replacement for the McLaren-bound Kimi Raikkonen.

Sauber will be joined by Ferrari at the Italian circuit as well as the Minardi team as it struggles to get to grips with the electronic gremlins which blighted its efforts during last weekend's Italian Grand Prix.