by Craig Llewellyn


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH ERNESTO VISO: CLICK HERE


After making the headlines in 2007 for all the wrong reasons, Ernesto Viso insists that he wants to be back on track full-time next season.

The Venezuelan is naturally chasing opportunities in Formula One, having made a promising test debut with the Midland team at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix, but fears that he will have to look elsewhere for a race seat, even if he manages to get a foot in the door of the top flight.

To that end, Viso made his Champ Car debut with Minardi Team USA at Sebring last month, and includes the series as a potential destination.

"I think F1 is the target for all drivers, for sure it was mine," he told Crash.net Radio, "I was there in Brazil last year and really liked it, and I think I did a good job. For sure, I am going to keep working hard to be there, and am working [to get] the sponsors here.

"F1 is always my first option but, if it doesn't happen, I want to race and I think Champ Car could be a good decision. The [Minardi] test went very well, and we were very quick even if myself and one other driver were the only ones on track and it was a bit green. I liked the car - it was a bit heavy, but there was a lot of power because of the turbo. It was fun to drive and the times were very quick - the guys were impressed and I was impressed as well. The team did a very good job and, if that's the way we're going to go next year, I think they're a good option for us."

Viso, who suffered a massive accident on his return to the GP2 Series at Magny-Cours in the summer, admits, however, that his F1 ambitions may also force him to look at Europe for his race action, with another GP2 return a strong possibility.

"These days, even if you are a test driver in F1, you still need to race something because they don't do much," he explained, "There is no third driver as there was before, driving on Fridays, so, if I am third driver, I need to race something. In that case, Champ Car may be a bit too far [away], so GP2 could again be the best option."

Despite going into what would be his fourth year of GP2, Viso is unconcerned that he could be typecast as a nearly man, but admits that financial pressures may yet dictate his destination.