BMW will evaluate drivers in December in Jerez

BMW Sauber is considering holding a shoot-out for test drivers. This means that an evaluation of potential test drivers will be organized with several candidates during the upcoming private tests to be held in Jerez (Spain) in December.

The goal is, of course, to find a replacement for Timo Glock, autosport.com has learned.

It’s almost official, Glock is set to become a race driver for Toyota next year. The commission that oversees the validity of contracts ruled earlier this week that the ties binding BMW Sauber to the German were no longer valid.

This change directly results in BMW Sauber needing to find a new test and reserve driver for the year 2008. BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen hinted at the possibility of at least three candidates competing for the position in Jerez to assess their potential.

« We might have one, two, or three guys in the car in December during private testing at Jerez, and we should reach a decision before the end of the year, » he said.

Theissen is very attentive to what is happening in F3, after having signed a contract with Robert Kubica who was champion in this discipline in 2005.

According to the latest rumors circulating in the paddocks, there is talk of Marko Asmer, the British F3 champion, as a possible candidate for the test driver position at BMW Sauber. Theissen admitted that the Estonian was a strong contender.

« He (Marko) would be a potential candidate for future track tests, » he claimed.

« And then there are other young people, full of talent. »

For example, Champ Car driver and former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos, who was also associated with this shoot-out in December.