Despite the fact that he looked to be heading to DTM, two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen could still find himself back in F1 in 2005.

Having lost out on Jenson Button, WilliamsF1 could look to the Finn, who remains one of the few drivers to have beaten Michael Schumacher on a number of occasions.

Talking to Autosport magazine, WilliamsF1's Patrick Head, said: "It would be a risk after he has been out of the sport for three seasons, but you have to think seriously about a man who has the talent to twice beat Michael Schumacher to the title."

It's known that BMW is getting slightly impatient, and despite last weekend's much-needed win, the German manufacturer is dismayed at the fact that it has finished behind Ferrari, BAR and Renault this season.

The team needs a proven winner, and the simple truth is that the only driver that fits the bill, other than Hakkinen, is David Coulthard.

"While I'm sure that Mark will go on to be a successful Grand Prix driver, it's a fact that his best result to date is a fifth-place finish with Minardi," said Head. "We have to question if it would be correct for a leading team such as Williams to partner him with another driver lacking in hard results."

Antonio Pizzonia remains favourite to get the second seat, though Nick Heidfeld is also in the frame, as is BAR tester Anthony Davidson.

Hakkinen has admitted that he would like to return, but there remain doubts as to whether he could successfully readjust, especially in light of Jacques Villeneuve's problems, after just one season out of the cockpit.