Pastorelli Surprised by Jordan Opportunity

Dutchman Nicky Pastorelli said that he never expected to be given a testing chance with Jordan at Barcelona in Spain today - which is why he had to borrow Narain Karthikeyan's helmet for his run-out.

The reigning Euro F3000 champion, who is in talks with the team about a testing role, completed almost 30 laps and could be back behind the wheel of the Jordan at Silverstone next week.

Speaking to Autosport.com about his experience, Pastorelli said: "I sat in the car for the first time and I was not supposed to be in the car. So I did not have my helmet and the seat was not mine, so it was not perfect but it was very nice.

"It all went very well except a spin and I did not enjoy that! It was good of Narain to lend me his helmet. I was put in the car just to get the feel of what it is like."

Although Pastorelli is in talks with the team, possibly with a view to becoming its Friday test driver, he has made it clear that nothing is decided yet - although the situation may become more obvious after the final pre-season test at Silverstone next week.

"Let's hope this will bring something good in the future. I am also looking at Champ car possibilities and let's see. I know the team will be in Silverstone next week but I don't know if I will be there…Yet."

Jordan's Adrian Burgess said that Pastorelli is in the running for a test drive role with the team, but said that no decision had yet been made about when the outfit would start running a third car.

"We are getting geared up to run a third car, but whether or not we run in Melbourne we don't know yet," he said. "Nicky is one of the drivers who may possibly sit in the car if we run it, but we don't know yet."