Manning linked to Ganassi

Manning told ESPN.com that he has received offers from both series and may be forced to choose. His CART team owner Derrick Walker has said he will not renew his option on Manning, hinting that this was mainly because he could not match offers from IRL teams.

"It's very strange to be in this position," said Manning. "I've spent all these years trying to get to this level and never had any offers and now it's twice as hard to make a decision."



Asked about the rumoured deal with Manning, Ganassi's managing director Mike Hull said: "Darren would be an excellent driver for anyone who had the chance to sign him up. But we're currently talking with three drivers."

Manning admits in this week's AUTOSPORT Magazine that he has safety reservations about any IRL switch. Former champion Kenny Brack was badly injured in a violent accident in the last round of the series at Texas, while Tony Renna, Ganassi Racing's new signing, was killed last week in another airborne accident just minutes into his first test for the team at Indianapolis.

"It's the only time in my life when I've been considering a drive and the element of danger has entered my thoughts," said the Yorkshireman. "That's a big consideration. In CART it has never crossed my mind."