Heidfeld: I Deserve a Seat at a Top Team

German Jordan driver Nick Heidfeld has claimed he "deserves" the chance to race in a top team next year - and openly told Williams-BMW he wants to join them in 2005 despite missing out on a test last week.

Heidfeld was given the chance to test for the Grove-based team in Jerez after the British Grand Prix but the move was blocked by a problem over his release from his current team, Jordan.

The 26-year-old veteran of 77 Grands Prix with Prost, Sauber and now Jordan has failed to find his way into a top drive so far and admitted he was disappointed he could not get behind the wheel of a Williams already.

"It was very disappointing for me not to be able to do the test in Jerez with Williams last week because it would have been one of the biggest chances for me so far in Formula One to prove that I am good," said Heidfeld.

"I think I am still quite young, not as young as the youngest in Formula One, but I hope I have a long time in front of me, maybe ten years, so plenty of time to reach my goals which is to fight for and win the world championship.

"I don't like to speak about other drivers or really say the good things about me but I think in the end everyone should get what he deserves and I think I am good enough to deserve a top seat.

"The test didn't work out so we have to keep working on next year - but it's a very nice feeling getting so close to a test. It is not like they pick anyone so it's nice they picked me and obviously I would really like to join the team."

Williams have two vacancies for 2005 with current drivers Ralf Schumacher, of Germany, and Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya already confirmed as Toyota and McLaren-Mercedes drivers respectively for next year.

Australian Jaguar driver Mark Webber is the top tip for one of the places but the other seat could be filled by numerous options and Williams remain undecided on the best solution.

The team's lead test driver, Spaniard Marc Gene, was given a two-race try out as a replacement for the injured Schumacher, who is still on the sidelines thanks to a fractured spinal cord, but did little to impress.

Former world champions Jacques Villeneuve, of Canada, and Finn Mika Hakkinen have also been suggested and the team's second test driver, Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, is in the car for a try-out in this weekend's German Grand Prix..

Heidfeld denied rumours that a deal for him to join Williams is already done and said that he is "in talks with several teams" over the possibility of moving from his current team next year.

The test is understood to have been planned as a two-day 'shoot-out' with Pizzonia for a race drive at Hockenheim and that Heidfeld's case was pushed hard by Williams' engine suppliers BMW.

The German driver refused to comment on that situation but said: "I know that we were speaking and wanted to do the test and nobody knows what would have happened after that.

"I don't know how Williams would have played it for this race. For me it was only one test and I would have taken the chance whatever. Whoever I had to drive against, it doesn't matter.

"If a team that can win races and tries to win the world championship and I have the chance to test there I have to take the chance - and the plan was to do a couple of days."