Jaguar bids to retain Webber

The Australian's form, highlighted by his third-place starting position in Brazil, has left the outfit in no doubt that it should take up an option on his contract.

But sources close to Jaguar have claimed to AUTOSPORT that although talks are progressing, Webber's manager Flavio Briatore is stalling for time, to wait and see how the driver market develops over the next few months.

The Italian is believed to be in no rush to commit Webber to Jaguar, especially with the future of Jarno Trulli at Renault in doubt, although the British team is confident it will retain its driver for a second season.

But not everyone has rated Webber quite so highly. McLaren star David Coulthard claimed at the Spanish Grand Prix that the Australian cannot yet be called a top driver. The Scot said: "There are still some question marks - like dropping the ball in the race in Brazil.

"But I don't think you could have asked him to have done more with the machinery he has. He will develop into the real deal, but is he now? Probably not."