Gene hopes Monza run will open doors

Gene's efforts were acclaimed as "excellent" by outgoing BMW Motorsport director Gerhard Berger, and has given him hope of furthering his grand prix career.

"The team was very surprised with this result," admitted Gene, who has been racing in the Dallara Nissan World Series to keep his racecraft sharp. "After the race, Gerhard Berger told me that I might have secured my future in Formula 1. To be honest, this door is now a little bit further open for me, but F1 is so complicated."

Despite the solid result, the best finish of his career in the top flight, Gene says he will not return full-time to F1 with just any team that makes him an offer.

"I would not accept to enter any other team without certain guarantees," he said. "I'm totally concentrated on my duties at BMW WilliamsF1."

Of his chances of retaining his seat in place of Schumacher, Gene added: "The chances are the same that I first had in Monza. This race is 14 days ahead [of Monza], and I hope that Ralf will be completely recovered by then. The team has asked me to go there but I'm sure that I will only be doing PR."