Who will replace Schumacher?

Hot favourite according to the Italian press is Luca Badoer. He drives for Minardi but his primary job is Ferrari test driver and he is only on loan to their poor Italian cousins.

Since Badoer is Italian and intimately acquainted with the car he would seem to be the natural choice - but he does not carry the weight in most minds to fill Schumacher's boots.

Mika Salo, currently without a drive, must also be on the short-list, either in place of Schumacher or in the Minardi.

The list of options is not long. Some have speculated that Sauber may agree to loan Jean Alesi back to the mandarins at his former team from Maranello in return for a considerable cut in their Ferrari engine deal.

Some have even speculated that Ferrari's retired lion, Nigel Mansell, maybe dragged out of retirement from his West Country golf course retreat for one final comeback. Surely he is too old to even be considered?

Across the water in America Juan Montoya and Dario Franchitti, from Scotland, are firmly tied to two year contracts and it would not be worth their while to abandon their campaigns in Europe for three or four races.

Their driver's title dreams now rest with Eddie Irvine and their focus will surely turn to the constructors championship; but they will need a fast and consistant driver to carry that load.