Rosberg to replace Pizzonia as Williams tester?

Frank Williams has praised the performance of 17-year-old Nico Rosberg, son of former F1 champ Keke, during his F1 debut at recent test with the Oxfordshire based team in Barcelona.

Rosberg was given the opportunity as a reward for wining this year's Formula BMW championship.

"Nico (Rosberg) is only just 17, but he was very quick after just a few laps and certainly wasn't intimidated by the car at all," enthused Williams afterwards.

It is now believed that Rosberg is on a short list - along with Italian's Vitantonio Liuzzi and Giorgio Pantano - for the position of official Williams test driver alongside Marc Gene.

The second testing seat has become available due to Antonio Pizzonia signing for Jaguar for the 2003 season.