Herbert denies replacement rumours

Burti before the end of the season.
But team bosses dodged questions as to whether the Brit, who scored Stewart's
first victory last season, has a contract to the end of the year.

Herbert is yet to qualify in the top 15 or finish a race because he has been
plagued by mechanical problems.

In Imola he faced a deluge of speculation following stories in the Italian
press.

"It's news to me," said Herbert. "I know where I stand with the team and I
feel comfortable with that."

But Jaguar Racing boss Neil Ressler was evasive.

"Sometimes during qualifying last year Johnny's performance during qualifying
wasn't great but he was always consistent in the race," he said.

"As the season progressed his qualifying performance improved and his race
performance stayed as good as it was in the early stages.

"And, of course, he won at the Nurburgring which gave him a real lift.

"We expect the same improvement this year."

It is Herbert's qualifying performances - plagued by car problems - that have
caused his bosses the biggest concern.

While teammate Eddie Irvine has qualified sixth once and seventh twice
Herbert has started 17th twice and 20th in Australia.

Burti is said to be frustrated at his lack of testing. He has barely been in
the car since the start of the year and Herbert has done most of the testing.