Williams in No Hurry to Fill Second Seat

Williams have up to six drivers on their list of candidates to partner Mark Webber next year and could take two months to choose one, according to technical director Sam Michael.

"There's between four and six drivers on the list," Michael said at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix. "I would say it could be anywhere between two weeks or two months away."

The team have a vacancy after Formula One's Contract Recognition Board blocked Briton Jenson Button's planned move from BAR.

Both Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya and Germany's Ralf Schumacher are leaving for McLaren and Toyota respectively while Australian Webber has been signed from Jaguar.

Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, Briton David Coulthard and Germany's Nick Heidfeld are all in the frame and immediately available while other options might be Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi and Briton Anthony Davidson.

Pizzonia, who raced four times this year as a stand-in for the injured Ralf Schumacher, is considered the leading candidate.

"Whether he becomes a race driver hasn't been decided yet but at the minimum he will be a test driver," said Michael of the Brazilian, who partnered Webber at Jaguar last year before being replaced for poor results.

Mario Theissen, motorsport director of Williams' partners BMW, said Heidfeld was on the list. The German has driven for Jordan this year and was approached after Silverstone as a possible temporary replacement for Ralf.

"Nationality is not a priority, performance is the priority," he added.

Coulthard, leaving McLaren after nine years and 150 races with that team, wants the job. He has the most experience, with 13 wins including one for Williams in 1995.

"It's important that we have people that are good enough to do the work at the track, to test tyres, to progress the chassis development and this needs good experience in racing cars," said Michael. "Some guys can do it straight away and some can't. It also depends on what happens next year with the move to the third car rule."

Some or all teams will be required to run three cars each to make up the grid should the number fall below 20.

There is considerable uncertainty about how many teams will be present in 2005, with Jaguar seeking a buyer after owners Ford announced they were quitting at the end of the season. Jordan and Minardi also need engines.