Stewart: Pizzonia Needed More Time

Former Jaguar boss Jackie Stewart believes Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, dropped by the team this week, deserved more time to prove himself in Formula One.

"I think he was progressing," he told reporters on Wednesday. "He's only 22, he's been a very good test driver, he's been very good on the build-up.

"I wasn't at all involved in the decision making process but I suppose I personally would have given Pizzonia more time," added the Scot.

Pizzonia was replaced by British rookie Justin Wilson, previously with Minardi, on Monday after 11 races. The Brazilian had not scored a point while Australian teammate Mark Webber has scored 12.

Former World Champion Stewart told Wilson in 1997, when the teenager was racing for his son Paul's Formula Three team, that he was too tall for Formula One and should look to sportscars instead.

"He was very successful and I like him as a young man," said Stewart, whose own Formula One team was sold to Ford in 1999 and renamed Jaguar.

"We let him go because at that time he couldn't fit into a Formula Three car because he was getting so tall. But I'm a big supporter of Justin Wilson. I think he's great."