Grapevine: Jaguar Deny Webber on Verge of Signing

Australian Mark Webber is talking to several Formula One teams about next year but Jaguar said on Tuesday they were not close to signing him.

"Jaguar Racing has not entered into formal discussions with any driver for 2003 and that includes Mark Webber," said spokesman Nav Sidhu. "He is not on the verge of joining Jaguar."

Underperforming Jaguar could have a vacancy with Eddie Irvine, at 36 the oldest man on the grid, reaching the end of his contract. But the Northern Irishman has yet to make a decision about what he wants to do next year.

Some British newspapers, quoting a source close to Webber, reported that the 25-year-old Minardi driver was confident of securing the Jaguar drive.

"Mark feels very relaxed and it looks like the (Jaguar) deal is all but tied up for next year," the source was quoted as saying.

Webber has tested for Jaguar and has done an impressive job for hard-up Minardi in his debut season in Formula One, finishing fifth in his first race in Melbourne after half the field had crashed out.

He has outqualified and beaten drivers from far better funded teams, including Jaguar and Toyota, and made his Malaysian teammate Alex Yoong look out of his depth.

The Australian's personal manager said talks with Jaguar about next season were continuing but denied any deal was imminent.

"It's definitely not done," Anne Neal told Reuters on Tuesday. "Things are progressing but there's still a lot to be sorted out and other teams are also interested."

Webber has a long-term contract with Renault's team principal Flavio Briatore, who negotiates on the Australian's behalf when it comes to contractual matters.