Carroll: I can handle an F1 drive

ADAM CARROLL is convinced he can be a Formula One title contender if given a chance. Carroll recently confirmed being approached by two F1 teams with regard the possibility of a race seat for 2010.

However, more doors could yet open for the Northern Irishman after being crowned A1GP champion on Sunday with Team Ireland.

Given the prospect there could also be 13 teams on next season’s F1 grid due to the proposed £40m budget cap, Carroll may get the opportunity he craves.

With time still on his side as he is only 26, he said: “You have to sit back and look at the fact Andretti Green are in this (A1GP) championship with Team USA.

“My plan was to win this and hopefully go and sit at a table with guys like them. They know me now. I’ve met them, and every weekend they’ve watched me drive.

“That’s been very good, and if opportunities in America open up, that would be very good.

“In F1, again, I know people do rate me. I’ve proven that any doubts they have ever had, they don’t need to have.

“I knew they didn’t, but you still have to go and prove yourself in life – I can qualify, I can race, I can overtake and I can win.

“I believe I am a strong enough package that given the right opportunity, I can fight for the world championship in Formula One.”

After three seasons in GP2, F1’s feeder series, as well as racing in DTM and now A1GP, Carroll certainly has enough experience.

It is now just a question of whether any team will take on the man from Portadown.

“I’ve beaten most of the guys on their way there, and hopefully they would say the same about me if asked the question,” added Carroll on www.gpweek.com.

“My situation is not like theirs. It’s been different, and it’s made me into the person and driver I am today.

“But I’m ready to do the job.”

Meanwhile, Renault’s engineering boss Pat Symonds has promised “a lot more to come” from the team following a disappointing start to the Formula One season.

Renault were confident of building on their return to winning ways at the end of last season when Fernando Alonso took the chequered flag in Singapore and Japan. But after four races this year, Renault have just five points to their name – compared to the 50 of constructor leaders Brawn GP – all from double world champion Alonso.

Assessing the lacklustre beginning to the campaign, Symonds said: “When we arrived in Melbourne (for the Australian GP), we did feel we were higher up the pecking order than the performance we actually delivered.

“However, what has impressed me is how the whole team has responded to the need to become more competitive. It has been a disappointing start, but we’ve definitely moved up the order in the last four races and there’s a lot more to come.”

Renault were one of the seven teams caught out by the diffuser row earlier this season that has enabled Brawn and Toyota in particular to prosper. Although the team responded rapidly, they are still playing catch up, with an updated design due on the cars for Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

“We still have a lot to learn about the car, but I do feel it’s becoming easier for us to get the most from it,” added Symonds, who confirmed a number of other upgrades are due at the Circuit de Catalunya.

“We can expect a reasonable step up in performance for Barcelona. We certainly hope it will be a bit more favourable for us.”