Burti back behind the wheel

Former Jaguar and Prost driver Lucinao Burti was back behind the wheel of a race car this week for the first time since the Belgium Grand Prix. Burti crashed at approx 270kmph after tangling with ex-team mate Eddie Irvine at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on September 2nd and sat out the rest of the season on doctors orders.

On Wednesday he was in Brazil to test a Formula Three car, supplied by Amir Nasr Racing, during routine testing at the Autodromo Internacional de Brasilia. Burti was very pleased to be driving again: "I had a need to drive fast again, and my performance in Brasilia made me feel very well and happy,’ he said.‘ I am sure that I will be able to contribute with Ferrari’s development in 2002."

He also prasied the Amir Nasir team, saying they were as good as the European outfits: "‘I was impressed with their structure, I believe that this team is at the same level as the best F3 teams in Europe." Next season he will work along side Luca Badoer as a Ferrari test driver and will start work in January when the Maranello team begin preparations for the 2002 season. Not only will he take up testing duties, Burti says he will be keeping a close eye on DTM, the German touring car series, to follow the fortunes of former team mate Jean Alesi.

"I will take a close look on DTM in 2002,” he said.“ I've been watching this series and cheering for my friend Peter Dumbreck. Now, with Alesi driving there in 2002, I will have two good reasons to watch the DTM, as Alesi helped me a lot at Prost.”