Wilson Ruled Out of Jaguar Test Role

Team bosses have dashed Briton Justin Wilson's slim hopes of continuing in Formula One this year as a Jaguar test driver.

The bosses, meeting on Friday near London's Heathrow airport, decided to uphold a new rule allowing the six bottom teams to run a third car on race Fridays but only with inexperienced drivers.

The rule bans all those who have started six or more races in the last two years, ruling out the likes of Wilson, compatriot Allan McNish and Germany's Nick Heidfeld.

"The rule wasn't changed," Jaguar boss Tony Purnell, whose Ford-owned team finished seventh last season, told Reuters. "It's rather disappointing. I can't see that the sport benefits from locking out drivers of Justin's ability. But that's the way it is.

"I thought there was a little bit of a chance because I thought it was good for the sport, but that wasn't everybody's view," he added.

Peter Sauber, who employed Heidfeld last season before deciding on an all-new line-up for 2004, this week described the rule as 'a joke' and suggested that McLaren and Williams were the main ones in favour of it.

Wilson, who started last season at Minardi before moving to Jaguar for the last five races, is now expected to look to open-wheel racing in the United States to further his career.

The Briton, who sold shares in himself to secure his debut drive, has talked about the possibility of joining compatriots such as Darren Manning or Dan Wheldon in the IRL or CART series.

Purnell did not say who Jaguar would turn to as their third driver to back up Australian Mark Webber and Austrian rookie Christian Klien.