Pizzonia puts future in place

Pizzonia, who has tested for both Benetton and Arrows this year, has yet to confirm his plans for 2001 but the 20-year-old is expected to take up a seat in Formula 3000 as well as a deal outside the F1 feeder series.

"I'm sure I would learn a lot in F3000 and learn the tracks and be ready to do Formula 1 in 2002," Pizzonia exclusively told Autosport.com. "But we have something in the bag outside of F3000, which will be a big surprise for everyone. We haven't signed anything yet, but it should be announced in January."

Despite reports elsewhere that Pizzonia is not ready for Formula 1 due to a lack of fitness, the young Brazilian completed over 60 laps for the Arrows team on Tuesday without any problems and turned in highly competitive lap times on old-spec Bridgestone tyres.

With hotshoes like Jenson Button and, more recently, Kimmi Raikkonen making the step up to Formula 1 straight from junior formulae such as F3 and Formula Renault, many expected Pizzonia to move into motorsport's premier category as soon as possible. He says he wants to take a more traditional route.

"I am still very young and I think Raikkonen's jumping quite a lot of steps and that is not part of my plan. I'm not planning to jump any steps and I think F3000 is still an important step."

For full Antonio Pizzonia Q&A, (Click Here).