OCTOBER 5, 2003

Dixon harbors Formula 1 hopes

New Zealander Scott Dixon hopes to win the IRL title this year in order to set himself up as a possible Formula 1 driver in the future. The 23-year-old Auckland driver hopes to get a Formula 1 test this winter and is expected to return to race for Target Chip Ganassi racing in 2004, to finish his contract. He hopes to make a serious bid to be in F1 in 2005.

It is worth noting that Dixon's manager Stefan Johansson has been around at several F1 races this year and has been talking quietly to teams about his protege.

"It's obviously something I'd love to do if the opportunity comes around," Dixon says, "but it will have to be the right thing."

Dixon is a particular favorite of Toyota and it is possible that he will be the replacement for Olivier Panis at Toyota in 2005.