Gene close to Ferrari deal

Gene has been a test driver at Williams since 2001 and impressed the outfit with his dedication and technical feedback - especially with his work on developing BMW's V10 engines.

Sources claim that Williams decided against renewing Gene's contract after disappointing race performances in the French and British Grands Prix while standing in for Ralf Schumacher. The Spaniard was then seen speaking at length to Michael Schumacher at Jerez prior to the winter testing ban.

Gene's signature on a contract is considered a major coup for Ferrari because of the vast knowledge the Spaniard has accrued of Williams' ultra-powerful BMW P84 engine and the team's Michelin tyres.

The news will also come as a further blow to David Coulthard's hopes of retaining links with a top team in Formula 1. The Scot admitted to Autosport last week that he had had preliminary discussions with Ferrari and Renault about a testing role should he fail to secure a race drive.

"If a sensible opportunity to race doesn't arise, then it would be foolish to rule out a serious testing opportunity," he said. "I have had conversations along these lines and if that would enable me to stay in F1 next year, with the freedom to return to racing whenever an opportunity came up, I wouldn't turn it away."

Williams is to run back-to-back tests in early December for Anthony Davidson and Nick Heidfeld to evaluate whether either is worthy of its second race seat. The Williams team's current test driver Antonio Pizzonia is also under consideration for the drive and it is thought likely that one of this trio could also be retained as the team's test driver.