Grapevine: Ferrari Quash Barrichello's Contract Rumours

World Champions Ferrari moved quickly to rubbish newspaper claims that Rubens Barrichello has signed a new contract to continue the Italian 'dream team' until the end of 2006.

Swiss newspaper Blick claimed that Barrichello had agreed a deal to continue with Ferrari after an approach was made for the Brazilian from rival team Williams-BMW.

But a Ferrari spokesman told Atlas F1: "We have not signed anything. The speculation is just that. Nothing has changed and we will sit down and discuss things with Rubens when the time comes."

The spokesman could not say when that time is likely to be but insisted the team will not be pushed into rushing a deal through despite Barrichello's demands to have his future secured before the start of this season in March.

Barrichello has raced alongside six-time World Champion Michael Schumacher for the last four years and has helped the team to win the Constructors' Championship every year he has been with them.

But Juan Pablo Montoya's decision to move from Williams-BMW to McLaren-Mercedes in 2005 and his teammate Ralf Schumacher's hesitation over concluding a new deal with the team has opened up the driver market for 2005.

Barrichello is keen to remain with Ferrari but this season the team are expected to run Sauber drivers Giancarlo Fisichella, of Italy, and former test driver Felipe Massa, of Brazil, before deciding their line-up for 2005.