Grapevine: Rumours: Coulthard to Jaguar in a Swap Deal

Scot David Coulthard could be on his way out of McLaren-Mercedes and to Jaguar as part of a three-way swap deal, according to rumours in the Indianapolis paddock.

Coulthard, who was confirmed with McLaren for 2004 during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, could be ditched after eight years' service if rumours swirling at the United States Grand Prix are to be believed.

Despite a continued 'no comment' from the teams involved rumours have developed that Coulthard could move to Jaguar, whose driver Mark Webber will go to Williams whose own championship-chaser Juan Pablo Montoya goes to McLaren.

Montoya, like Coulthard, has a contract tying him to his team until the end of 2004 but is said to love the prospect of racing in the team where his hero Ayrton Senna was synonymous with success.

A more hard-headed approach, possibly from his business manager Julian Jakobi, is likely. This is about money and while Sir Frank Williams dislikes spending it, McLaren-Mercedes team boss Ron Dennis doesn't.

And a transfer cannot be ruled out if it was to fund a smaller deal bringing the likeable Australian Webber to Williams, along with a surplus on the 'sale' of Montoya.