Wednesday January 12th, 2000

Racing prodigy Jenson Button is looking forward to his test at Jerez on Friday for Williams with enthusiasm and confidence.

Button, who turns 20 next week, hopes to be at the Australian Grand Prix in March driving alongside Ralf Schumacher for the Williams team, and intends on giving a maximum effort at the test to achieve this. Also at the test will be Brazilian Formula 3000 driver Bruno Junqueira, who is rumoured to be bringing increased sponsorship money to the tune of £4 million from Petrobras should he secure the drive.

"I was having a drink with a few friends just before Christmas when my mobile rang, and the voice at the end said it was Frank Williams," said Button on Monday. "I half-suspected that it was somebody playing a joke, but it was Frank who said he just wanted to touch base with me and he later phoned back with the offer of a test drive.

"I have to say that I am not in the slightest bit nervous about what is in store. I am confident that if I can show my natural skills behind the wheel, things will go in my favor. I had a test in a McLaren quite recently, and it felt like an F3 car with four engines in the back!

"Looking ‘round the Williams factory was great, because there was so much success bound up in it. Seeing the two cars and thinking one could be mine was also fantastic.

"I really can't wait. I will have to do a lot of training if I am to race in Melbourne, but there is still two months and, if I get the drive, I will get a lot of car time before. In any event, the adrenaline will be pumping so hard, it will probably see me through!"

Even if Button fails to sign a contract with the Williams team, the Prost team is expected to sign him as test driver after impressing them in a test during December.