Grapevine: Ralf's Absence Sets Tongues Wagging

When will Ralf Schumacher be back in a Williams, if at all?

The German's injury-enforced absence, possibly for up to three months, has intensified talk about the Formula One team's 2005 line-up with half the season still to come.

Schumacher, who suffered two spinal fractures in a crash during the US Grand Prix last month, is out of contract with Williams at the end of the year and expected to depart for Toyota.

Although that Germany-based team have yet to confirm anything, beyond the fact that they have been talking to the 29-year-old, there are plenty in the paddock who insist that the deal is done.

And as the extent of Schumacher's injuries has become apparent, the speculation now is that certain moves could happen sooner rather than later.

If that is the case, and if Ralf does indeed stay sidelined until October, then some suspect that Williams will want to bring in a long-term replacement early should that prove contractually possible.

The BMW-powered team have said already that Jaguar's Australian Mark Webber is top of their list, earmarked to take over from Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya who is definitely leaving at the end of the year.

However Webber has a contract with Jaguar to the end of next season, subject to confidential performance clauses which the struggling team look unlikely to meet on current form.

Villeneuve Available

Team boss Frank Williams said on Wednesday that he hoped to see Schumacher race again before the end of the season and Webber, who has also aroused interest from Toyota, brushed aside all the speculation.

"I think we'll see him in a Williams again...but if it is the final two races only then yes, you might say that (it is doubtful) but it's early days," said the Australian.

"Nothing has happened from Williams to us...we don't know any more than you guys about how Ralf feels and how Williams want to deal with the situation.

"I haven't really thought about it," he added when asked whether he might want to change mid-season - a situation that happened at Jaguar last year when under-performing Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia was replaced.

"Of course you want to win races tomorrow but I've never been closer to these guys (Jaguar) and we've got a job to do here."

There is also Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, eager to move up from Sauber, McLaren's David Coulthard and Jordan's quietly impressive German Nick Heidfeld.

And then there is Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 World Champion with Williams who is looking for a comeback after being dropped by BAR. The Canadian has had several talks with Williams in recent weeks and is immediately available.

In the meantime, Spanish test driver Marc Gene will stand in for Ralf, as he did at Monza last September.

Gene also covets the job, pitching himself as a natural candidate to replace Montoya even before the start of the season, but Williams were coy about their long-term plans when they announced he would drive in Sunday's French Grand Prix.

"Future decisions regarding driver nominations will be taken at a later date," the team said.

Gene Hopes

Gene said he understood that the team wanted to keep their options open but he expected to be in the car again at Silverstone, the week after France.

"It is very, very likely that it will be me," he said.

The Formula One regulations allow a team to use four drivers over the course of a season, meaning that Williams can still test another candidate should they want to.

"This is a possibility," conceded Gene. "It could be, I hope not for my own interests. If one of the drivers they would like to try out is available, then it is a way to judge them although it may not be the best thing for the team in the short term."

Villeneuve may have to wait some time more for the phone call however.

Gene said as far as he was aware there had been no consideration of the Canadian for a stand-in role. "Jacques is more from the media than within the team," he said.