Pizzonia gets Arrows testing chance.

British Formula Three champion Antonio Pizzonia will get a second chance to impress the F1 scouts today, as he joins Arrows at Bridgestone's Barcelona test.

The Brazilian is slated to replace the team's regular pilot Pedro de la Rosa for the afternoon session at the Circuit de Catalunya, as the tyre companies move into their final pre-Christmas tests. Bridgestone is running in Barcelona this week, with rival Michelin moving across the border to make use of the refurbished Estoril circuit in Portugal from tomorrow.

Pizzonia, the runaway winner of this year's British F3 title, has already clocked up extensive f1 mileage after testing with Benetton in the summer, but failed to land a full-time test contract with the Enstone team after declining to sign a long-term contract with team boss Flavio Briatore. Despite this, however, the Brazilian remains highly rated by F1 teams, with Williams also having considered employing him as test driver next year.

While nothing is signed for 2001, Pizzonia is tipped to land a testing role with one team or another, with his Arrows opportunity suggesting that Leafield may be his destination. The team tested monied Minardi refugee Gaston Mazzacane at Silverstone two weeks ago, but the Argentine is rumoured to be either staying put with the struggling Italian outfit, or linking up with the equally cash-starved Prost team next year.

Giorgio Pantano, the Italian ace who tested for Benetton alongside Pizzonia, appears to have lost his chance with the French team after rejecting the chance to sign a long-term contract with Alain Prost.