Pizzonia Aims to Benefit from Williams Experience

Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia believes a year testing with the Williams team has prepared him for making his Grand Prix debut with the Jaguar Racing team in 2003.

"I think I'm ready for F1," said Pizzonia, whose team unveiled their new R4 today. "I think I learned a lot at BMW-Williams â€" I drove more than 15,000 kilometres in testing last year â€" which is a lot. Plus, I was driving a very quick car, and I was working for a very experienced team â€" and I think that helped me to learn a lot, too.

"But now I'm ready to race, and I really hope I'm going to be able to do a really good job for Jaguar Racing. I'll be under more pressure, of course, because a test driver is never really under a lot of pressure â€" but I'm ready for it. I'm looking forward to it, in fact.

"The team is upbeat and based on my experience at BMW-Williams I can see the benefits that the new engineering-led philosophy is bringing."

23-year old Pizzonia joined Jaguar from Williams at the end of last year. Nicknamed 'Jungle Boy' in Britain because he comes from the Brazilian Amazon city of Manaus, Pizzonia is seen as one of Formula One's new talents, but he will face several unknown circuits in his first Formula One season.

Jaguar have opted for normal testing for 2003, and so their drivers will only have one hour of practice before the crucial one-lap qualifying. Pizzonia says he doesn't fear the new format.

"I really like the idea, yes," he said. "I think it's going to suit my style, too. I'm looking forward to it. It's also going to make a very positive impact on the public spectacle and that's the main thing. We must do whatever we can to make this sport even more thrilling than it is. I'm all for it.

"I tend to learn circuits pretty quickly, so I'm not too worried. And, anyway, I quite like the changes in the regulations. I think they were very sensible, so I can't really complain, can I?"

Pizzonia will be partnered by Australian Mark Webber after Jaguar decided to go for an all-new driver line-up in 2003, replacing Irishman Eddie Irvine and Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.