Enge has shown promise in Formula 3000, but he had little chance to impress in just the last three races.

Before his accident, the genial Burti won his big break this year after two seasons impressing Jaguar's technicians in testing - but it did not take long for the team to ship him on.

Jaguar preferred to pledge their future to Pedro de la Rosa. They signed him for 2002, and when it became clear that Alain Prost was unhappy with Gaston Mazzacane, Burti was sent on his way.

That seemed a little unfair - for while Burti had not proved to be quite a match for Eddie Irvine, he was putting in a solid and promising showing in his debut season.

A close friend of Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello, Burti is bright, articulate and, some say, quick. Burti was a contemporary of Jenson Button in Formula Three, and he beat him in the British championship two years ago, eventually finishing second to Briton Marc Hynes.

It remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to cut it in F1, but the early signs were quite promising.

He outqualified Alesi a handful of times and showed that he should at least mature into a solid, competent performer - and perhaps more.