Williams Backs Pizzonia for F1 Success

Sir Frank Williams has backed the team's Jaguar-linked Brazilian test driver Antonio Pizzonia for future Formula One success and suggested that he could improve the show if he gets a place on the Grand Prix grid.

Pizzonia, who has struggled to impress in Formula 3000 this season, has been strong in testing for the Williams-BMW team and impressed Jaguar bosses in a one-off drive at Barcelona last week and he is now believed to be one of Jaguar's options for 2003.

"He is quick enough, certainly, and more than that, as a racer, to be in Formula One. He is quite good at overtaking," Williams said.

"He has disappointed himself in Formula 3000 and surprised us at the same time but we rate him very highly and he should have a strong career in Formula One, there is no doubt about that."

Pizzonia, who impressively won the British Formula Three championship two years ago, will face competition for the Jaguar place from Australian Minardi driver Mark Webber and Ulsterman Eddie Irvine, who could still stay with the team.