JANUARY 5, 2004

Pizzonia still in the picture at Williams

Williams technical director Patrick Head has confirmed that Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia is still in the running for the role of second test driver at Williams although the team does intend to test Nelson Piquet Jr. again before the start of the new season. The 18-year-year showed potential but was erratic during his first test in December. Pizzonia is a known quantity having done a good job testing for the team in 2002. Team members continue to say that they do not understand what happened to Pizzonia at Jaguar Racing in 2003 as he was as quick in a Williams when he returned as he was before he went to Jaguar.

Pizzonia is hoping to re-establish his F1 career in the year ahead and may be hoping that Williams might call him up if, as expected, Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher both depart the team at the end of 2004. Williams sources say that there is no rush to make any decisions about the future although current speculation is that Jenson Button will be in the frame. No movement is expected until the first four or five races of the new season have been completed.