'Shocked' Pizzonia Turns Down Jaguar Offer

Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia has said he was shocked to hear the news that the Jaguar team had replaced him with Briton Justin Wilson for the remaining part of the season.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit said that Pizzonia had "not been able to realise his potential with the team over the past 11 races." The 22-year old Brazilian claimed the news came as a surprise to him and said he has turned down the test driver role offered by Jaguar.

"The sudden decision by Jaguar Racing not to let me continue as a full time Formula One driver for the team came as a complete shock to me," said the Brazilian in a statement. "As the season has progressed my performances have improved.

"As has been widely reported, Jaguar has offered me a reserve driver and testing role but I have declined this. I now have to reflect on what has happened and decide which is the best course of action for me to take. However I fully intend to pursue my career in Formula One."

Pizzonia made his Formula One debut this year with Jaguar, and he was the only driver who had not scored a point apart from Minardi's Wilson and Jos Verstappen.