Williams Look to Second Tester

BMW-Williams have said they are looking at testing Brazilian youngster Antonio Pizzonia in the future, but refused to say if he could be part of an increased testing programme during the winter.

Pizzonia, who is currently racing in the Formula 3000 Championship after winning the British F3 series last year, is signed to Williams sponsors Petrobras and should get a drive through his links with them.

But they are refusing to link Pizzonia or previously tested Brazilian Bruno Junqueira to a permanent testing role at this moment in time.

"It is inevitable that we will need an additional resource for testing but they are by no means the only ones in the frame," said a spokesperson for Williams.

"I would think the test schedules for next year are beginning to be drawn up, so this issue will certainly start to have a sharper focus on the agenda. We don't want to go mad on this, but it is fair to say that all the Petrobras Junior drivers have tested a Williams F1 car except him.

"It is natural that he may be called upon in the future but there are no concrete plans at the moment as to when. He knows exactly the situation. All the guys have had a run and inevitably, when it naturally happens it will."

Pizzonia, who is nicknamed 'jungle boy' due to his birthplace deep in the Amazon, was hotly tipped as the next Brazilian to break into Formula One.

At the same time, technical director Patrick Head recently hinted at the need for extra manpower in January and February due to the intensity of the test schedule following the three-month post-season break.