Mark Webber has dismissed reports that his contract has a clause in it which means that Jaguar has to be in sixth position at mid-season, the clause actually comes into effect at the Hungarian GP.

"The performance clause kicks in around Budapest time," the Australian told The Guardian. "Ultimately I am contracted to Renault for next year as Flavio is in control of what I do.

"However, I must consider what's best for me in the immediate future and what will be best for me over the next few years.

"I'm not 22 any more, I'm 27," he continued. "That's not old, but I want to know how long it's going to take to make it. I have to think very carefully about my next move."

Despite talk linking him with a number of teams for 2005, most notably WilliamsF1, and in spite of the poor results this year, Webber is fiercely loyal to the Milton Keynes outfit.

"There is such good feeling in the team," he says. "I won't hear a word against those guys, because they have worked so hard. They've worked so hard and have nothing to show for it. But that's the harsh sport that we're in. It takes no prisoners. There is no rewind button. What happens, happens.

"I suppose it's not out of the question that I might stay," he said, "but the fundamental issue is the question of reliability. We need the car to be bullet-proof."

Such is his devotion to the guys at Jaguar, Webber revealed that he will not be attending the forthcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he was scheduled to drive a Jaguar C-Type.

"I'll be doing a 24-hour mountain-bike race instead," he admits, "with the lads on the Jaguar formula one team."