Grapevine: Todt Denies Ferrari Interest in Montoya

Ferrari's sporting director Jean Todt has dismissed the rumours that linked Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya with the Italian squad in a near future.

A report published by the German Press Association (DPA) earlier this week, claimed that World Champions Ferrari were looking for a replacement for their star driver Michael Schumacher, with an insider being quoted as saying that the German is unlikely to fulfil his current contract if he wins his fifth title this season.

However, speaking at the inauguration of the new Ferrari Store in Maranello on Thursday, Todt denied Ferrari's interest in Montoya, and claimed that they are happy with their current drivers.

"The press have made it all up and I don't have to reply to these inventions," Todt was reported as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper. "We are very happy with our drivers, so why should we change them?"

Four-time World Champion Schumacher has a contract with Ferrari until the end of the 2004 season, while teammate Rubens Barrichello is signed until the end of 2002.