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F3000 champ Wilson to test for McLaren

McLaren boss Ron Dennis says that new Formula 3000 champion Justin Wilson will test for the team in the next month

The 23-year-old became the first ever British driver to win the series when, with one round remaining, his only title rival, Australian Mark Webber, crashed out on the opening lap of the support race to the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday.

Hours later, Dennis confirmed Wilson will definitely be driving one of his cars in the near future. Monza is the most likely venue, but is yet to be confirmed.

Wilson has already had a seat fitting at McLaren to check what problems his six-foot three-inch frame would present in a modern F1 car. Dennis said they joked that he would have to have surgery to his legs if he wanted to be a Formula 1 driver.

Wilson's manager Jonathan Palmer has talked to a number of other teams but Minardi, Arrows and, chiefly, Jordan are the most likely to offer a test or testing contract.

Asked at Spa what he would say to Formula 1 bosses after winning the title, Wilson said: "They know what I want to do. Hopefully I won't have to say too much. We are chatting to a few of them to see if I can get in a Formula 1 car soon.

"I've got a few things lined up and winning the championship makes things easier."

He denied his height was a stumbling block to his ambition.

"It knocks people back at first when they see me, but once they get over the initial shock it's fine," he said. "Both F1 cars I have sat in I felt comfortable. I've been able to get into F3000 cars without any problems."

Wilson has an impressive record in the F1 feeder category, finishing on the podium nine times in 11 races and winning three times.

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