Wilson finally makes F1 breakthrough

Justin Wilson will line up alongside the likes of five-time world champion Michael Schumacher next season after finally getting his Formula One breakthrough.

The 24-year-old will be unveiled as the latest Grand Prix driver by Minardi at a hotel near Heathrow Airport this morning.

Wilson has been given his break into motor sport’s premier series having been told to find £2m (€3.19m) in sponsorship.

He will make his debut in Melbourne on March 9.

Wilson missed out on a Grand Prix debut with Minardi last season as temporary replacement for Malaysia’s Alex Yoong because his 6ft 3in frame could not fit into the cockpit.

But Wilson proved that he would have no problems with the 2003 car at a seat fitting at the Anglo-Italian team’s factory in Faenza last month.

And former Minardi driver Mark Webber insists that Wilson’s height should not be a problem.

“Lots of people are raving on about his height and I am sure it is doing his head in,” said Webber, who was beaten into second place in the F3000 Championship by Wilson.

“He will just want to go out and drive. He might have a few uncomfortable afternoons with his knees and elbows, but if he’s doing the job that’s all that matters.”

Webber, who will drive for Jaguar next season, said: “He is good. He beat me to the F3000 Championship and the F3000 Championship is a tough one. I think he is ready for F1.”

Team chief Paul Stoddart has no doubts about Wilson’s ability but admitted the driver had to find the sponsorship to help the team’s budget.

“I hope Justin finds a budget, but unfortunately we’ve made it quite clear that whoever drives for us this year is going to need to have sponsors,” said Stoddart recently. “That’s life.

“We have to look at the team first. We make no secret of the fact that the team needs money.

“That money must come from drivers or their sponsors. But I also have a great personal faith in Justin’s ability and it would be a crying shame if he missed the opportunity.”

Wilson, who became the first Brit to win the prestigious F3000 title in 2001, had also seen his size ruin his chances of a drive for Jordan.

He competed in the Telefonica World Series this year, finishing fourth overall, and was scheduled to test for CART team Newman-Hass in Florida later this week but that has now been scrapped.