Pizzonia: I Need Another Chance Soon
Antonio Pizzonia still believes he will need another chance this season to show what he can do if he is going to have a real chance of landing a competitive Formula One drive for 2006
The Brazilian impressed with his points-scoring finish for Williams in the Italian Grand Prix after only getting the call-up to race early on Saturday morning - having not even driven an F1 car for several months.
But after getting a rapturous applause from his team when he returned to the garage after the race, Pizzonia knows that another outing this year may be needed to prove just how good a job he can do.
"Inside the team everyone was happy with my work and I hope people in other teams have noticed the work I've done," said Pizzonia.
"But in Formula One people forget quickly what you've done and, without getting another chance soon, I don't think things will change.
"If I get another go in Spa, maybe people will start to take notice if I do a good job. So far I'm happy and even if I don't get another chance I go away happy that I did my best."
The most obvious possibility for Pizzonia next year could be at BMW - although he has not ruled out a chance at Williams.
"BMW could be a chance for me, but I'm not only hoping for that, as Williams hasn't finalised its drivers' line-up completely," he said.
"There's still a long road to be covered by us all and a lot of things can happen. If they need me I'll be available."
Pizzonia admitted that even he did not expect to go so well at Monza - having been given just 30-minute notice on Saturday morning that he was needed to replace the unwell Nick Heidfeld.
"Starting 16th I wasn't expecting to get into the points, but fortunately things were better than I expected, better than the team expected and I really go away with the sentiment of having completed my mission," he added.
"Now all I want is to have the opportunity to do a proper weekend, with the right preparation and everything, to show what I can really do."
Pizzonia's chances of racing in this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix will depend on whether Heidfeld is fit again - something that the team will only find out after further hospital tests this week.
Heidfeld began suffering headaches during Friday running at the Italian Grand Prix, most probably as a result of a big testing crash he had at the track the week before.
Speaking about whether he will be racing at Spa, Pizzonia said: "For the moment no one mentioned that and I haven't asked either, because I wanted to concentrate on my race here in Monza.
"Now we wait and see what happens. I hope Nick recovers, but if he doesn't, I'll have another opportunity in Spa and there I'll try to do my best again."
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