Franchitti Says No Deal with Jaguar

British driver Dario Franchitti said on Wednesday that he wanted to move to Formula One but talk of him joining Jaguar next season was premature.

The Scot, who finished a two-day test with the team at Silverstone, has been at the centre of speculation linking him as a replacement for compatriot Johnny Herbert in 2001.

Franchitti, who is competing for the Kool Green Honda team in the US-based CART championship after finishing as runner-up last year, said nothing had been decided yet.

"The only thing I have signed is a standard release contract to test here," said the 27-year-old.

"I wanted to test a Formula One car again and Jaguar gave me the opportunity, it's as simple as that.

"I've kept good contact with Jackie Stewart and he said I could test the car. He's been chatting to me and he knows how I drive. He's also given me tips that have helped a lot.

"If things go well there is a possibility that something could happen, but at the moment it's just nice to test. Beyond that who knows.

"If Jaguar decide in the future that I've done good job here then things might happen. I've always said I want to drive in F1, but I've also got a lot of other options in America."

Franchitti was watched on Wednesday by former world champion Stewart, whose own Grand Prix team was bought by Ford and renamed as Jaguar for the start of this season.

Stewart said Franchitti, who raced for his son Paul's British Formula Three team in the 1990s, had not done his chances of landing a drive any harm: "I've been watching Dario and he looks very good. I've talked to him in the garage and he's very responsive. He's eager to learn and I'm sure he's got a lot out of these two days."

Jaguar's current drivers are Herbert and Briton Eddie Irvine, who was championship runner-up at Ferrari last year.