Wilson and Firman face daunting tasks on Formula One debuts

Formula One's unerring capacity for political conflict has managed to obliterate most things sporting in the build-up to the world championship, not least the preparations of two British drivers new to Grand Prix racing.

Radical changes and financial concerns are the subject of very public dispute and, ironically, characterise the recruitment of Justin Wilson, by Minardi Ford, and Ralph Firman, by Jordan Ford.

Even a year ago, drivers in this country bemoaned the advantage enjoyed by their overseas counterparts, who traditionally found it easier to raise sponsorship and fund their burgeoning ambition. Then, suddenly, not one but two aspiring Britons make it to Formula One with the help of commercial packages said to guarantee their respective teams at least £2m each to supplement their budgets.

The concept of the "pay'' driver has long been derided in Formula One circles; a stigma liberally attached to "Johnny Foreigner''. Drivers from these shores, it was always contended, had to do it the hard way; they were there because they were good enough.

Alex Yoong's desperate struggle to justify himself in the Minardi last season reinforced the stereotype and subsequent resentment. Here was a rich kid, palpably out of his depth and, no matter how much money he brought in, the Malaysian should not have been driving a Formula One car.

The fact that Wilson and Firman have had to "buy'' their seats will cast doubts over their suitability, yet both have sound credentials and now the opportunity to prove themselves.

Wilson won the 2001 International Formula 3000 Championship with a record number of points. Significantly, the driver he beat into second place, Australia's Mark Webber, partnered Yoong last season and his performances convinced Jaguar he deserved to drive one of their cars this year. Firman has won the British Formula Three Championship and the Japanese Formula Nippon series, and might argue his call-up is long overdue.

Both drivers feel they have been promoted on merit and that the business arrangement they undertook ought to be seen as an expedient rather than a sign of inadequacy.

Firman, a 27-year-old from Norfolk, said: "Down the years many drivers have had to bring in sponsorship to further their careers. It's a fact of life in motor racing and I certainly don't see this as a stigma. But I don't think I would have been given the drive at Jordan unless they genuinely believed I could do the job.''

Wilson would have had two races with Minardi late last summer had he not been too tall to fit in the car, so any talk of unfair advantage strikes him as a bit rich.

''I think it's not before time that British drivers are managing to get some help,'' Wilson, 24, said. "And even then we've had to work really hard to put together a deal. From my point of view, I'm just delighted I've got the chance to prove what I can do.''

Firman, too, is grateful and almost starry-eyed in anticipation of his debut, at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday. He describes his call-up as "the chance of a lifetime''.

Reality, of course, may be a sobering, even chastening, experience. Wilson, a committed racer on the circuit, is a mild-mannered man off it and Webber wonders whether the man from Sheffield, who partners the experienced Dutchman Jos Verstappen, will have the resistance to survive.

Webber said: "Justin is good enough to be in Formula One, I have no doubts about that. I just hope he gets the chance to show what he can do because it's definitely going to be tough for him. He's a nice guy, possibly too nice and naïve. He'll need to toughen up because Formula One can rip the spine out of you.''

Wilson commented: "Of course it's going to be tough – what else should anybody expect in Formula One? But I'm confident I can prove myself here. I feel I belong in Formula One and I'm ready for it.''

Every driver is judged against his team-mate and Firman is likely to be set a daunting standard by the other Jordan driver, Giancarlo Fisichella. The Italian is among the very best in Formula One, even if he does not yet have the results to confirm his status.

One man who can vouch for Fisichella's ability is Jenson Button, now embarking on his fourth season of Formula One. They were team-mates at Benetton Renault two years ago. Button, at 23, still Britain's youngest Grand Prix driver, said: "Ralph has done well to get the Jordan drive, although he'll have a hard time with Fisichella as his team-mate. I know how quick he is.''

Firman, however, contends that he could be matching the team's senior driver by mid-season. He said: "Any driver wants to beat his team-mate and I'm no different. Hopefully I can be up there with Giancarlo in qualifying and the races by the middle of the season.''

The dark warnings are also part of Formula One life, so at least Wilson and Firman are beginning to get acclimatised to the hostile environment.

Wilson is also growingimpatient. He said: "There's been so much talk and speculation over the winter and now I'm glad we'll soon be racing at last. I just want to get on with it.''