Pizzonia Says He is on Top of Williams' List

Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia believes he is top of Williams' list for a Formula One drive in 2005 after BAR's Jenson Button was ruled out.

Briton Button had been lined up to join Australian Mark Webber at Williams but the sport's Contracts Recognition Board decided on Wednesday that his BAR contract remained binding.

Speaking at a news conference in Rio before the ruling was announced, Pizzonia sounded hopeful of landing a full-time drive after standing in for the injured Ralf Schumacher in four Grands Prix this year.

"For the time being, all I have guaranteed is to remain a test driver but I am waiting to hear about my future," said the driver from the Amazonian city of Manaus.

"The four races that I did this year were very good for my career. I hadn't planned to race this year but I managed to score six points for the team which they needed for the Constructors' Championship.

"Thanks to these four races I am at the top of the list to race for Williams next year if Button stays at BAR."

Pizzonia, 24, raced for Jaguar last season but failed to score a point and was replaced after 11 races. However, team boss Frank Williams has spoken highly of him.

"All we know is that when he's driving a Williams BMW he's very competitive," Williams told Atlas F1 last week. "Whether it's testing or racing, his application is exactly the same."

Read more about Antonio Pizzonia's future in last week's issue of Atlas F1.