DECEMBER 13, 1999

Manning to test for Williams

WILLIAMS F1 is due to test Darren Manning this week in Jerez de la Frontera and although the word is that Manning may only be in line as a test driver, we believe that if the test goes well the 24-year-old British driver could be a candidate to replace Alessandro Zanardi next year. Manning spent two years in Formula Vauxhall before graduating to Formula 3 in 1996. He enjoyed some initial success but money was short and at the end of 1998 he went to Japan. This year has contested the Japanese Formula 3 and GT Championships with TOM'S Toyota. He won the Formula 3 title with six wins in 10 races. He then went on to win the Macau and Korean Formula 3 Grands Prix. Early last year he tested for McLaren.

Also in the running for the Williams seat are Brazilian Bruno Junqueira who drives for the Petrobras Junior Team in FormulaÊ3000. If Junqueira is promoted into F1 we would expect to see Manning take his drive with Petrobras Junior. Denmark's Tom Kristensen does not seem likely to be involved and last week signed to drive for Honda in the BritishÊTouringÊCarÊChampionship.