Karthikeyan still hopeful after Jordan F1 test

Narain Karthikeyan said he was still hoping to become India's first Formula One driver after testing for Jordan on Tuesday.

The Indian completed 49 laps in the EJ11 at a cold and wet Silverstone, over the road from Jordan's headquarters, with French driver Jean Alesi putting in 85 laps in the other car.

It was Karthikeyan's second outing in a Formula One car after testing for Jaguar earlier in the year.

"I had a good run, even though the track was a bit greasy because of the wet weather, and I enjoyed myself," said Karthikeyan, who currently competes in Formula Nippon in Japan.

"I was happy with the way I drove, although it would have been better if it was dry.

"Everything in F1 is so different from any other category and it impressed me in every way.

"It was strange to drive with all the stars of Formula One and of course Jean is the master in these conditions.

"Hopefully I will have the opportunity to be the first Indian Formula One driver in the next couple of years."

Alesi concentrated on wet-weather work, reliability checks and set-up evaluation ahead of the U.S. Grand Prix at Indianapolis next week.

Briton Justin Wilson, who has won this year's FIA F3000 championship, will test with Alesi on Wednesday and Thursday.

In Italy, the Swiss-based Sauber team tested 20-year-old Brazilian Felipe Massa at Mugello and sounded impressed by what they saw.

"The boy's very fast," commented Sauber test team manager Jacky Eeckelaert after European F3000 champion Massa had completed 50 laps.

Sauber are looking for a replacement for 21-year-old Finn Kimi Raikkonen, who is moving to McLaren to take over from Mika Hakkinen next year.

Ferrari were also in action at their Fiorano track near Maranello, with Luca Badoer testing electronics ahead of Indianapolis and using two cars.

"Today we worked on two fronts," he said after 42 laps and nine practice starts.

"On one car I concentrated on electronics development for the final part of the season, while with the other I started work on developing a few components which could be used next season."

Spanish driver Fernando Alonso was at the Valencia circuit with Minardi team boss Paul Stoddart and Brazilian Tarso Marques to give Spanish fans and sponsors rides in the Minardi two-seater.