Grapevine: Analysis: Ralf Deal is Green Light for Market

Ralf Schumacher's move to Toyota gives the Formula One driver merry-go-round the push it was waiting for.

Confirmation that the German will be leaving Williams allowed an important piece of the jigsaw to slot into place on Wednesday and made the overall picture considerably clearer.

The main point is that Williams are now looking for two drivers for 2005, with Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya also leaving to join McLaren. One key vacancy has been filled and either Brazilian Cristiano da Matta or Olivier Panis, or perhaps both, must find a new home away from Toyota for next year now that Ralf is arriving.

That will not be easy for either. Panis, 37, is the oldest driver in Formula One while da Matta has made little impact since arriving in 2003.

If one episode of the Williams soap opera has reached a conclusion, after months of speculation and official denials about Ralf's negotiations, the series still has some way to run.

The focus now will be on two of the most coveted slots in motor racing, drives with a top team who have won titles and are backed by leading carmaker BMW. Australian Mark Webber is the frontrunner for one of them, Williams technical director Sam Michael admitting as much in Canada last month.

Although Webber's Jaguar contract still has a year to run, there are performance clauses that the Ford-owned team are unlikely to meet and the big question now is how soon the Australian can be brought on board.

Villeneuve Hope

Other candidates on Williams' list include Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, now at Sauber, McLaren's David Coulthard, Canadian former champion Jacques Villeneuve and Jordan's low-key German Nick Heidfeld.

There is also Spaniard Marc Gene, who would represent continuity at a bargain price as the test driver who is standing in for Ralf and therefore also has race experience with Williams.

Brazilian test driver Antonio Pizzonia, dropped by Jaguar last year, has also thrown his hat in the ring while BAR's British reserve Anthony Davidson has attracted plenty of attention this year.

Davidson, consistently fast in Friday practice sessions at Grand Prix weekends, has also been linked to Sauber as a likely replacement for Fisichella if the Italian gets the nod. The Briton might also make a good fit for Jaguar but brings no financial backing, unlike Formula 3000 leader Vitantonio Liuzzi who is linked to their Red Bull sponsor.

Villeneuve, champion with Williams in 1997 and angling for a comeback after being dropped by BAR last year, should get a test at Williams next month after several discussions.

Coulthard, who started out with Williams in 1994, has expressed an interest in both that team and Toyota but recent speculation has suggested that he could settle for a job as McLaren test driver.

Champions Ferrari and old foes McLaren have their line-ups settled, while current runners-up Renault said last weekend that they expected to announce their drivers in the next 10 days.

They are sure to stick with Spaniard Fernando Alonso and more than likely to confirm Italian Jarno Trulli, despite his failure to hold on to third place at Renault's home French Grand Prix last weekend.

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore also manages Webber however and has an option on him.