Grapevine: Villeneuve Dismisses Ferrari Link

Jacques Villeneuve said today that he was unaware of any interest in him from World Champions Ferrari as speculation once again surrounded his future ahead of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

Villeneuve is out of contract at the end of the season at BAR-Honda and the Brackley-based team have showed no signs of opening negotiations to extend the Canadian's stay. But Villeneuve said suggestions in the German press that he was on his way to Ferrari were wide off the mark.

"The only team where you would probably go without thinking would be Ferrari," Villeneuve said. "(But) I am not sure where that link came from because I have not had a chat with anyone from Ferrari."

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, who has also been linked to Ferrari in the past and most recently to McLaren for next year, was also unconcerned about the speculation.

"There are always rumours about it, rumours one way or the other but at the moment I have a contract with Williams until the end of 2004 and then after that we will have to wait and see what happens," he said. "There's still 2003".

Villeneuve has been critical of the BAR-Honda team this season, but he still remains hopeful of staying with the outfit with few other opportunities available on the grid.

"(Manager) Craig (Pollock) and I are in a position to know everyone quite well on a personal basis," he said. "But the market doesn't seem very open."

When asked if his criticism had done too much damage he added: "No, it is just that the reputation has been damaged by it all and I will just have to pay the price for it.

"If we agree and we still work together with this team next year then I guess all this has been done before re-signing a contract here, that is all. If something was decided there wouldn't be any need for it any more, would there?"