Zanardi stays silent

Alex Zanardi refused to comment on his plans for next season at a press event organised by a Williams team sponsor in London on Friday

The Italian is believed to have split with the team after a difficult 1999 season in which he scored no points.

'I don't want to talk about it at the moment as it's still being discussed,' he said. 'But we will know soon.'

However, he did confirm that he is scheduled to continue testing with Williams at Catalunya next week.

'I'm down to drive for Williams at Barcelona, unless there are problems with the engine,' he maintained.

Zanardi is under contract to the team for another season, and Frank Williams is known to be unwilling to break contracts. However, if the former CART champion does end up leaving the team, he will receive £4 million in severance pay.

With former Williams test driver Juan Montoya firmly contracted to Chip Ganassi's team in the Fedex Championship Series, it would be hard to find a replacement for Zanardi.

Former Prost star Olivier Panis is one option, although BMW test driver Jorg Muller could prove more attractive. The 1996 Formula 3000 title winner is a fast but under-rated driver with extensive F1 testing experience with Arrows, Sauber and Williams.