Junqueira tipped for Ganassi drive after test

The 23-year old Brazilian is one of five drivers under consideration by the team that has won the last four CART championships. Junqueira, F3000 title rival Nicolas Minassian, Indy Lights racer Casey Mears and Toyota Atlantic champion Buddy Rice were all at the test at Firebird, Arizona.

Memo Gidley is the fifth contender, but was unable to test through CART rules which restrict teams testing current drivers.

No times have been released from the test, but each driver is reported to have had 125 miles in the cars, and the times were very close.

"This is a good opportunity for us to see some of the top, young open-wheel talent," said team boss Chip Ganassi. "We were impressed with what we saw here. We've found great drivers like Montoya and (Alex) Zanardi during tests like this, so we're hoping that trend continues."

Ganassi has two vacancies to fill with the departure of 1999 champion Montoya to Williams in F1, and Vasser looking for a drive elsewhere.

Ironically, Junqueira went head to head for the Williams F1 drive this season only to lose out to Jenson Button. It is Button's replacement by Montoya that opens the Ganassi door for the Brazilian...

A decision is expected shortly.