Burti looking for return

Former F1 driver Luciano Burti is looking for a return to racing in the championship and has had a few contacts with teams. The Brazilian drove for Jaguar and Prost in competition and was more recently test driver for Ferrari. He left the Scuderia ...

Former F1 driver Luciano Burti is looking for a return to racing in the championship and has had a few contacts with teams. The Brazilian drove for Jaguar and Prost in competition and was more recently test driver for Ferrari. He left the Scuderia in order to pursue other racing interests but F1 is where he wants to be.

Luciano Burti.

Photo by Ferrari Media Center.

"I have to say that since the Brazilian GP, I have had contacts with few teams and, as everyone knows, the interest of any racing driver is to compete on the top series," he told his website. "But lets go step by step."

Burti's name came up in connection with Jaguar when Antonio Pizzonia's seat appeared under threat and although he thinks the criticism to his compatriot was unfair, Burti admits he would jump at any chance.

"I think that Pizzonia is a very good driver and has a very respectable CV but, for some reason, he's not having the expected results, leaving many people saying that he will be replaced soon," he remarked.

"I don't know want is going to happen, and I really think that Antonio doesn't deserve this criticism as a person or as a driver, but of course if one F-1 seat is available, I'll be the first one jumping on it."

Burti, of course, is not the only driver who would like to be back behind the wheel competitively. Former Toyota driver, now Renault tester, Allan McNish hasn't stopped campaigning for a race return either.

"I think that what I have been doing this year shows I still have what it takes," he said in regard to his role with Renault. "I have a contract with Renault until the end of the year and, of course, I would love to get back racing because that's what I am, a racing driver. But we will just have to see if any offers come in."