source:
crash.net
Having apparently dropped out of the race for what few Formula One seats
remain open in 2004, FIA F3000 champion Björn Wirdheim is looking forward to
slipping behind the wheel of a CART Champ Car next week.
The Swede will make his US test debut with Patrick Racing after taking advantage
of the prize offered by common chassis constructor Lola for winning this year's
F3000 crown, and is expected to venture out onto the Arizona Motorsport Park
road course over 5-6 November.
Since winning the title, Wirdheim has conducted F1 tests with both Jordan and
BAR at Monza, Indianapolis and Mugello but, without the amount of financial
backing required by the Silverstone team, is now exploring other options to see
if he can find a front-line race seat for 2004.
"I am very much looking forward to making the most of this opportunity, and am
pleased that it is with a top team like Patrick Racing," the Arden International
pilot said, "I met [Patrick team manager] Jim McGhee at Indianapolis before the
US Grand Prix and got a good impression of the team. I expect the car to be very
different to F1 but it will be interesting to see how things compare in style
and handling."
Should he wind up racing in the CART series next year, Wirdheim would follow in
the footsteps of, among others, Bruno Junqueira who took up the offer of an
American seat when his hopes of reaching F1 via the F3000 title fell by the
wayside. The Brazilian looks certain to finish 2003 as Champ Car runner-up to
Paul Tracy.