Pizzonia gets Williams drive

Antonio Pizzonia will drive for Williams at next weekend’s German Grand Prix as stand-in for the injured Ralf Schumacher.

Pizzonia’s fellow Williams test driver Marc Gene filled in for the German in France and Great Britain recently but his disappointing race form has prompted Sir Frank Williams to make a change.

Williams are embroiled in a battle to preserve their traditional top-three spot in the rankings and need to consistently score points if they are to claw back a 26-point deficit on third-placed BAR.

Gene was initially drafted in as the team thought he was likely to be a more reliable points finisher, but with just 10th and 12th places to show for his two races, they have decided to think again.

Pizzonia, who comes from the Amazonian region of Brazil and is nicknamed ‘Jungle Boy’, is delighted to get his chance and is determined to repay Williams’ faith.

He said: “I am very happy to have been given this opportunity and I will do my very best to assist the team in scoring some points.

“My total concentration is now on the forthcoming race weekend, and I have a clear preparation plan prior to Hockenheim.”

New team-mate Juan Pablo Montoya offered his encouragement, saying: “Williams will have an all-South American driver line-up at the German Grand Prix, so I wish Antonio all the best.

“I’ll also be doing my best to score points and to help him do the same.”

Pizzonia was considered a genuine talent during his time in junior formulae, winning the British Formula Three Championship at a canter in 2000.

He made reasonable progress to win a race in Formula 3000 the following year, earning him a job as Williams tester.

His big break came in 2003 when Jaguar handed him a race seat but things quickly turned sour.

Pizzonia put in some encouraging performances but behind-the-scenes strife at the team did not help and he was sacked mid-season, to be replaced by Justin Wilson.

He returned to Williams to test and rebuild his reputation and now has his chance to prove his worth again on the big stage.