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bron F1i.com
ANTONIO'S ARROWS TEST
F1i.com understands that British Formula 3 Champion Antonio Pizzonia will test with OrangeArrows Grand Prix at Barcelona on 18-19 December.
Pizzonia was initially scheduled to test with Prost Grand Prix at Barcelona, but F1i.com believes both he and Giorgio Pantano pulled out of the test due to a clause in the mandatory contract that would give four-time World Champion Alain Prost an option over the youngsters for 2001. Enrique Bernoldi, together with heavyweight backing from Sauber title sponsor Red Bull, is the current favourite for that seat.
Brazilian Pizzonia has impressed in tests with Benetton in 2000, and his junior racing record is impeccable. In 2000, the youngster won the British Formula 3 Championship in a Manor Motorsport Dallara-Mugen. Last year he dominated the British Formula Renault Sport Championship and, in 1998, he took the British Formula Vauxhall Junior Championship.
The Amazonian driver's test for Arrows may well be the precursor to a full test deal next year, as the Leafield, UK team is expected to retain its current line-up of Jos Verstappen and Pedro de la Rosa in its race seats. Minardi's Gaston Mazzacane shook down the AMT-engined A21 at Silverstone at the start of the month, and was believed to be negotiating a deal with the team. F1i.com's sources suggest that the Argentinian now wishes to race on with Minardi, however, and that will leave a test berth with Arrows.
While the British Formula 3 Champion will enjoy full use of the AMT-engined Arrows, he will not feel the full benefit of the latest Bridgestone tyres. Because the youngster is not contracted to a Bridgestone team for 2001, he will be forced to drive on 2000 rubber. This will make it virtually impossible for the youngster to set competitive times, as the most recent tests suggest massive tyre development. At Barcelona recently, Giancarlo Fisichella and Ralf Schumacher, in the Benetton-Renault and BMW WilliamsF1 respectively, went faster than Michael Schumacher's pole position time for the Spanish Grand Prix
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