F3 Star Kerr in Talks with Williams over Test Seat

Newly-crowned British Formula Three champion Robbie Kerr is in talks with Williams-BMW over a test seat and could be in line for the job if Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia goes elsewhere in 2003.

Pizzonia and Spaniard Marc Gene currently undertake Williams' test duties along with the team's race drivers German Ralf Schumacher and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya.

Gene has already signed to continue in the job next year but young Brazilian Pizzonia wants to be on the grid in 2003 and became a strong contender for a Jaguar drive when he tested for them at Barcelona last week.

That would leave the Williams test role free for Kerr and the young British driver's manager Sean Driscoll said: "We have already been told that Robbie would be in the frame for Williams if Pizzonia gets a race seat.

"We have been talking to everyone and the best bet would be Williams or maybe Jordan, but certainly the ideal situation would be to get a Formula One test contract and still be racing."

Kerr has impressed in the British Formula Three championship and won the title in the penultimate race last weekend when he beat Australian Jaguar test driver James Courtney to the crown.

Driscoll revealed that Kerr had already been offered a Formula One race seat by Minardi's Australian boss Paul Stoddart, but he could not afford the $5 million sponsorship required.

"Paul rang me up and told me that Robbie could have the contract if we had three million pounds," said Driscoll. "I am not sure where we can come up with that."