Pizzonia Targets Race Seat for 2005

Williams-BMW driver Antonio Pizzonia says he has half an eye on a race seat with the team in 2005 as he prepares to fill in for the injured Ralf Schumacher at the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim this weekend.

Pizzonia, 23, will take over from Spaniard Marc Gene, who failed to deliver as Schumacher's immediate replacement in the last two races in France and England.

Brazilian Pizzonia is looking to impress boss Frank Williams - with race drivers Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya departing at the end of the season - as he returns to Grand Prix racing for the first time since being dumped by Jaguar mid-way through last year.

"It all depends how early Ralf will come back," Pizzonia said when asked if he will get an extended run in the team. "I think he's already talking about Budapest, but I don't think that will happen. If I do well here I will probably do Budapest as well."

Pizzonia claims to have left last year's disappointing performances with Jaguar behind him, and believes he can prove he can stand the heat of Grand Prix racing at Hockenheim.

"I have a long-term contract with Williams, but I think it all depends on this weekend and maybe the next one," he said looking at his future. "It is too early for that at the moment, I am concentrating on this weekend.

"Obviously I want to race next year. I know what I can do and I am sure I will do it, I try not to talk too much about what happened last season, sometimes it sounds a bit like excuses, I just want to show what I can do."

Jaguar's Mark Webber looks set to claim one of the two positions at Williams, while several other drivers have also been linked with a seat.