04/07/2004
NEWS STORY
Although WilliamsF1 has Marc Gene deputising for the injured Ralf Schumacher this weekend, there is nothing to suggest that this is a long-term arrangement. The press release issued by the Grove outfit earlier this week merely referred to Magny-Cours, though it's widely thought that, barring a major problem, Gene will retain the seat for Silverstone.
Will Ralf Schumacher out for up to three months, there is much speculation as to who could fill his seat in Germany and beyond.
Although some have suggested that Mark Webber could be lured away from Jaguar early, this seems a most complicated deal and therefore highly unlikely.
Furthermore, if the Jacques Villeneuve conspiracy theorists are correct, the French Canadian has little time in which to make his move.
Following the British Grand Prix, there is a three day test at Jerez, after which there is no further testing until the 1st of September, by which time the German, Hungarian and Belgian events will have been run. Therefore if JV is the answer, he must test - secretly or otherwise - during the week after the British Grand Prix.
One other story doing the rounds is that Eddie Jordan is offering the services of Nick Heidfeld to WilliamsF1. Certainly, the young German is talented, and deserves a car more worthy of his talents.
Furthermore, any compensation paid by WilliamsF1, or indeed BMW, to Jordan, would be gratefully received, while the team would also save money by not having to pay Heidfeld. Also, 'third driver' Timo Glock has proved himself capable of scoring points, and his promotion to a race seat would leave Jordan free to negotiate another 'third driver'.
Luvvly Jubbly as 'Del Boy' would say... and certainly an arrangement that would appeal to one of the sharpest tools in the box.