OCTOBER 3, 2001

Wilson and Karthikeyan test... but no Sato

The main focus of Formula 1 activity is in Italy this week as Mugello plays host to several teams, and key among them are the movements of the two Honda-powered teams.

THE main focus of Formula 1 activity is in Italy this week as Mugello plays host to several teams, and key among them are the movements of the two Honda-powered teams.

Jordan still has to confirm its second seat for 2002, and Jean Alesi backed up his sitting tenancy by running at Jarno Trulli's pace throughout the US Grand Prix weekend and gathering up the final point after the Italian was cast out of the results.

Nevertheless, Jordan is testing two young bucks in the form of Justin Wilson and Narain Karthikeyan of Britain and India respectively. Both tested for the team last month, and Wilson in particular left the team impressed.

Yet the pair may well find themselves shooting it out for the test driver's position, as Jordan's Honda stablemate BAR has abruptly pulled Takuma Sato from its running order at the Italian test. This may well mean that the Japanese driver is on the move, and if it does there is only one possible vacancy for the Honda protege... at Jordan.