Skier Ghedina hints at WTCC switch

The Italian, who has won 12 downhill ski races in the World Cup and was twice silver medallist in the World Championships, has said that he could switch to a career in motor racing as he ponders retiring from skiing after the Winter Olympics in Turin.

His comments come after Red Bull allowed him to test an old F3000 car at Adria in April - where he got within two seconds of the lap record.

"I did some testing in Formula 3000 and I immediately lapped within 1.9 seconds off the track record," Ghedina told Gazzetta dello Sport. "The Red Bull guys got excited. They told me: 'Kristian, if you were ten years younger, we would immediately give you a contract for Formula One.'

"However, it's more likely I'll join the World Touring Car Championship, the one where Zanardi races."

Former Grand Prix driver Riccardo Patrese, who overlooked Ghedina's test at Adria, was impressed by what he saw.

"What Kristian was able to show in his first attempt is a miracle," he said. "He is very talented and gifted with the right balance of courage and sensitivity.

"His experience as a downhill skier has, for sure, helped him to find the right combination between trajectories and speed on bends. After such a performance...I would not be surprised to see him in a F1 car in the future."