Grapevine: Zanardi eager for more tests

The Italian, who lost both his legs in a crash at the Lausitzring in 2001, completed a series of laps in a modified BMW-Sauber at Valencia during the Formula BMW World Finals.

That experience has fired Zanardi up for more runs, and he has said that he now wants to try out a car properly. In particular that means finding a cockpit that is better suited to him. He was using a modified 2005 Sauber car that was originally used by the shorter Felipe Massa.

Speaking about the test to Gazzetta dello Sport, Zanardi said: "The technicians were very good at understanding what I told them in order to make everything work at best. After that I put in the mental flexibility people like me need to have to face obstacles in an alternative way.

"Now I would like to try out a single-seater where I can feel comfortable; maybe (Robert) Kubica's, whose build is closer to mine. Then I'm not saying this will happen, but if there was the chance one day to take part in a real race, maybe at Monza, I think that with a bit of testing and a properly-done preparation it could be done."

Zanardi has even suggested that he would prove respectable in a Formula One race, especially judging by his race-winning performances in the World Touring Car Championship.

"In the WTCC I find myself fighting against extremely strong drivers, who maybe didn't get to F1 just because of bad luck," he explained. "Many times I beat them. I say I would do respectably in GPs too."

However, BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen said: "I don't think we'll do this a second time."