Grapevine: JPM's Manager Brushes Aside Ferrari Rumour

Williams and Juan Pablo Montoya's manager on Monday brushed off a report that Formula One World Champions Ferrari were chasing the Colombian as a future replacement for Michael Schumacher.

"It's nice to know that other teams are interested but he is under contract to Williams," said Montoya's manager Julian Jakobi.

Williams would not comment on a contractual matter, while a source close to the team suggested that the BBC Sport Online report might have more to do with Montoya's own salary negotiations with his current employers.

The Colombian, widely seen as a champion of the future, is believed to be paid far less at present than German teammate Ralf Schumacher. BBC online said a source close to Williams, who have an option on Montoya for 2003, had said that Ferrari wanted Montoya next season as long-term replacement for four times world champion Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher has a contract to the end of 2004, while his current teammate, Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, is signed up only until the end of the 2002 season. Montoya made a big impression in his debut season with Williams, winning the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September and pulling off the overtaking move of the year in Brazil against Schumacher.

He said last year that he would not be interested in switching to Ferrari while Schumacher was there. The German is recognised as the clear number one at the team.