Pizzonia Aims to Impress Williams

The 25-year-old has stood in for German Nick Heidfeld in the last three races, finishing an impressive seventh at Monza before crashing in Belgium and in Brazil last weekend. Pizzonia will drive for Williams in the last two races of the season.

Heidfeld, who crashed in testing last month and then cracked a shoulder blade in a bicycle accident, has signed a deal to race for BMW next season, when the German manufacturer will run their own team after breaking with Williams.

Heidfeld's move has left an opening at the Grove team, and although GP2 leader Nico Rosberg is believed to be the favourite to land the drive, Pizzonia reckons doing well in the final two races could boost his chances.

"I really don't know [about the future], I am talking to a couple of other teams but also to Williams," Pizzonia told Autosport-Atlas. "It would be nice to stay as I know the team, but doing well in the next two races would mean a lot, that is what I should concentrate on.

"They [the races] could open up opportunities. The team knows I had some missed opportunities in Belgium and in Brazil, doing well in the next two will not harm me."

Despite not having raced before at Suzuka or Shanghai, Pizzonia believes he will be ready.

"I am happy for that," he said. "It's two brand new tracks but it will not harm me to have two [new] circuits under my belt. I found out about this on Sunday, when I was in Brazil. There were all sorts of stories flying but I knew I had a chance, and I can help the team, other things did not get into my head so much.

"I look forward to them, but first I have to work on them in Grove," added Pizzonia, who will work on Williams' simulators before travelling to Japan.