Herta to Test for Minardi in November

American Bryan Herta will test for Minardi again in November as he continues his efforts to attract a sponsor that will offer the required funding to secure him a drive next season.

The 32-year-old impressed the team in the brief test he did with them at their Donington 'Thunder in the Park' event and he said that interest is growing from companies in the United States which could help him secure the drive.

"It has got a bit of momentum about it now," he said of his quest for a Formula One drive. "We have got some interest from some people in the States so I am quite hopeful that something could happen.

"There is a chance of it. I am going to do a bit more testing just after Japan with Minardi, another two days, and certainly there is a lot of talk going on in that area although there is no commitment for next year from the team."

Herta admits that he will have to provide the funding to secure the drive - which Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart has valued previously at $5 million - and Red Bull have been touted as a possible backer.

The energy drink company is keen to promote the sport in the US and is believed to be looking to switch the funding they supplied to Arrows into another team now that the cash-strapped outfit looks set to collapse.

"If Red Bull said 'how about putting someone in now' then I could do it," added Herta. "I would welcome that opportunity but that opportunity has not been presented to me yet.

"Whether I can find an American company to help me go over there or a team has an American sponsor who says 'Hey, we would like to have a profile in the US, can you get an American guy', maybe I can do it."