Priaulx hopes to continue dual role

Andy Priaulx has set his sights on becoming a full-time Formula One test driver with Williams – as well as dominating the World Touring Car Championship.

The Guernsey-born driver goes into this weekend’s final round of the world series, in Macau, locked in a three-way battle for the inaugural title.

Priaulx won the championship last year in its guise as a European competition and he wants to add a world title to his CV.

But the 29-year-old has unfinished business in Formula One and hopes to build on his first test for Williams this year.

That came about as a reward for his European title win with BMW, but even though the German giants have set up their own team after buying Sauber, Priaulx is staying on at Williams and hopes for more time behind the wheel.

He told PA Sport: “I did a Formula One test this season and hopefully that increases next year. It’s looking positive.

“My relationship in Formula One is with Williams and that’s where I want to stay. It’s not something I can decide – it’s up to Williams.

“If I can become the Michael Schumacher of touring cars and be a full-time Formula One tester I will have done pretty well. That would not be a bad career.”

And Priaulx believes his varied career, which has included time in hill climbing, Formula Three and touring cars, gives him an edge on youngsters such as new Williams racer Nico Rosberg when it comes to testing.

“The young guns can drive one lap quickly but ask them what needs to be done to go faster and they don’t know,” he added. “That’s where with my experience I could contribute.”

But Priaulx admits his chances of a race drive in Formula One are extremely slim and revealed he will stay on in the World Touring Car Championship, with an announcement expected after this weekend’s finale.

He said: “My future will be with BMW. Everyone is waiting for Macau to get that out of the way.

“Everyone knows you need money for Formula One and I just don’t have that. I’ve had to graft results out of whatever I could drive.

“When I finished in Formula Three I was ready for Formula One but it didn’t happen. It’s unlikely now but I’ve learned never to say never.”