Pizzonia Still Hopeful of Williams Drive

Pizzonia was drafted in to finish the season following Nick Heidfeld's absence through injury but, despite a strong showing in Monza, he failed to score any points in the final four races of the year.

However, the Brazilian claims that the team's perception of the job he did is different to how it looked from the outside - and that his race experience and vast testing knowledge will hopefully boost his chances of getting the race deal.

"I think they will make a decision, if it is not already made, soon," he said. "I have been with the team for a long time. They know what I can do.

"I had a lot of bad luck in the last few Grands Prix and the races were not that good, but they know me well. I hope this has not hurt me, and it probably has not because outside the team people don't know what is going on in there.

"The team know what has gone on in there, they know what has happened, and I don't think it changed anything."

Although Pizzonia remains in talks with other teams about a race drive for next year, including the new BMW outfit, should he lose out on the race deal with Williams then he would still have the chance to impress as the team's third driver.

"Obviously I am hoping to get the seat and if I don't, I really don't know what I will do. The only good thing about it if I have to stay as test driver is that Williams are going to have a third car on Friday next year, so that would be good.

"Obviously it wouldn't be ideal to stay another year testing but we will see. We are still talking to a few other teams so we will see."

When asked whether he was confident about getting the drive, he added: "I was quite confident last year and this year I am not really thinking about it, whatever happens I cannot change it."