JANUARY 13, 2008

Reid close to an F1 deal?

New Zealand A1GP driver Jonny Reid says that he is close to a deal to become a Formula 1 driver.

New Zealand A1GP driver Jonny Reid says that he is close to a deal to become a Formula 1 driver.

"I am very, very close," Reid told the New Zealand Herald. "It would be as a test driver first, like what last year's champion Nico Hulkenberg is doing with Williams. That would still let me race A1GP because it is in the off-season. The more you can do as a driver, the better. The 24-year-old has been one of the stars of the A1GP Series nd has the support of well-connected franchise-holder Colin Giltrap, New Zealand's foremost car dealer, a man who can open doors in F1 circles.

The big question is which team may be involved. At the moment there are few test driver roles on offer and with the testing restrictions the second test driver role is now largely honorific. BMW Sauber is expected to announce a deal with Marko Asmer shortly, while Red Bull, Scuderia Toro Rosso and Super Aguri may have vacancies.