Walker: Encouraging that F1 hopefuls look here.

Derrick Walker believes it is a sign of the recovery of the Champ Car World Series that a number of drivers are now looking to the American-based championship as a viable option away from Formula One.

Ex-F1 driver Justin Wilson has already established himself in the series, having recently agreed a deal to drive for RuSPORT in 2005 after a debut season in which he finished second in the 'Rookie of the Year' standings.

Wilson could be joined in Champ Cars next season by Christijan Albers, the young Dutchman previously linked to drives with both Minardi and Jordan for 2005. Albers, who has tested for both teams in recent weeks, had an encouraging debut run in a Champ Car with the Walker team at Sebring on Wednesday - completing almost 100 laps at the wheel of the teams Reynard Cosworth.

With Walker expanding to a two-car effort, with a Lola chassis, next season, Albers could take on a role as one of the drivers, admitting that a drive with the team could be a real possibility for 2005.

"The guys on the team and the engineering were all great, and Mr Walker wants to win races just as I do, so we have common goals for the future," he said. "I think Champ Cars and Walker Racing are a good option for Christijan Albers for 2005."

Walker himself was pleased with the way the young Dutchman performed and admitted that it was encouraging for the series that the 2004 DTM runner-up was considering Champ Cars as an option alongside F1.

"The windy, cold conditions were not the best for his first Champ Car test, but Christijan did very well considering the weather," he said. "He quickly got down to some very respectable lap times and even though the test was one day, we managed to accomplish a lot.

"It is encouraging that there are a number of talented drivers who are now considering the Champ Car series as a viable alternative to Formula One. It provides exciting, competitive racing for drivers and teams while providing exceptional value for corporate sponsors."