Contract wrangles cloud Webber's future

The 29-year-old joined Williams at the end of 2004 and would be expected to enjoy a significant salary hike if he is retained for the final two years of the original contract.

However, amid continued uncertainty in the driver market elsewhere with several leading seats still available, there are suggestions that Webber's contract situation will be kept open beyond today.

Webber has hinted that a 'fresh relationship' could be the way forward, implying that the existing contract could be allowed to lapse and a new one negotiated for less money than the team would otherwise have to pay.

"We understand the situation the team's in, I think he (Williams) wants to take it (the option) up but now we are in a different situation," he said at Hockenheim. "The original plan's not going to work, we have to work something else."

He added: "We did basically a four-year deal (in 2004) and Monday is the date where we say yes or no.

"It's not no (yet), but it's not yes as it was potentially. But we are trying bloody hard to make it work and I think there's a good chance that we will."

The lapsing of the contract could also allow Webber to consider his options elsewhere. The Australian is believed to be a contender for Red Bull Racing next season, while he could also be moved to Renault who need to find a replacement for Fernando Alonso.

Renault are chasing McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen but the signs are that the Finn will be heading for Ferrari. Webber has not ruled out a switch, although he said Raikkonen called the shots.

"If there is a choice between Kimi and Webber, they'll take Kimi. It's a no-brainer. I've got six points this year. That's the food chain, that's life mate," he said.

"We'll see what happens with Michael (Schumacher) and Kimi, we don't know who is going to Renault or McLaren -- there's seats out there."

Webber said more time could suit all parties.

"I've got to look through how I see what's going to happen here in the future," he said. "They are a good team, a good bunch of guys. It can't be any worse next year."

Williams, an independent team, operate on a tight budget and slashed their driver costs at the end of 2004 when they replaced Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya and Germany's Ralf Schumacher with Webber and Nick Heidfeld.

Team boss Frank Williams has made clear his admiration of Webber.

"I think he's really raised his game," he said at the weekend.

"I really think he's done superbly, he really has made a big step forward. He is totally apolitical, which is a rare privilege to have a driver like that."