Grapevine: Wheldon's F1 deal is done

The Briton's contract with his Andretti Green Racing team runs out next week (November 1) and there had been speculation for several months that he was pondering a switch to F1.

According to speedtv.com, Wheldon will now sign a deal to become a Formula One test driver on Tuesday. The deal will see him become a third driver next season prior to a race deal for 2007.

Although the identity of the team has not been revealed, Wheldon has been recently linked with Williams, BMW and lately BAR. The latter team is powered by Honda, whom Wheldon has driven for in the IRL.

Speaking to speedtv.com, Wheldon said: "I have not signed a deal with anybody. My agent and I have had conversations with F1 teams, that's no secret."

Asked if he was headed for Williams, Wheldon said: "That's not true. But you're on the right track."

A deal with Williams would give him a firm chance of a race deal in 2007 because Mark Webber's contract with the team runs out at the end of next year, and new signing Nico Rosberg is likely to have options on his deal with the outfit.

However, a chance with BAR makes more sense - especially with Honda believed to be keen to do all they can on the back of Wheldon's success in the United States.

Although there would be no chance of him graduating to the BAR race team in 2007 - with Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello both signed for that season - Honda's future plans for a second team would provide the perfect berth for Wheldon.

Honda's ambitions for the team, which will be run by Aguri Suzuki, are unlikely to come off for next year but will almost certainly reach fruition for 2007 - just when Wheldon would be ready for the step up to a race seat.

Wheldon's path to F1 has been eased by his association with his agent Julian Jakobi, who also represents Juan Pablo Montoya and has strong ties with various Formula One teams.

The other possibility for Wheldon is a tie-up with the new BMW team, who have yet to announce their 2006 line-up and will too be eligible for a third driver next season.

Moreover, Jakobi has strong ties with BMW's motorsport director Mario Theissen, and the two have been rumoured to discuss a possible Wheldon deal during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend.