Williams defends Zanardi's seat

The double CART champion has failed to score a single point in 111 races while team-mate Ralf Schumacher has notched up 22.

Zanardi's poor performances and Williams' own flying visit last week to America to talk to his driver Juan Montoya triggered rumours the two would soon swap places.

But Williams said Zanardi would continue to partner Ralf Schumacher in the year 2000.

'I am surprised people need confirmation. We stated when we signed him it was a multi-year contract,' said Williams.

'What you see is not what you have got.

'Drivers only really shine in the best cars and Alex had three different
reasons for his problems.

'Firstly he has come back a year after most of him competitors to learn to drive on grooved tyres and they are more difficult to drive on the limit.

'We have had more damaged cars in the last two years than ever before.

'Secondly, he is not driving a particularly competitive car, its an average car. Formula one's about being the best and we are certainly not that at the moment.

'Thirdly, he has an exceptionally unreliable car which frustrates us because Ralf's car is much more reliable.'

He said Patrick Head was reorganising the way the team works in an effort to solve the reliability problems.

'If sum up those three problems, no one would shine, not Michael or Mika.'