01/08/2006
NEWS STORY
At midnight last night (Monday), WilliamsF1's option on Mark Webber's services for 2007 and beyond expired.
It's understood that the deadline came and went without an agreement, which effectively leaves the Australian a free agent next season.
Speaking at Hockenheim on Sunday, Webber's manager, Flavio Briatore, said: "We did a four-year deal (in 2004) and Monday is the date where we say yes or no... it's not no yet, but it's not yes as it was potentially.
"We are trying bloody hard to make it work," he added, "and I think there's a good chance that we will."
The Italian also revealed that the Australian driver would be willing to take a pay cut, which one would have thought would have come as good news to Sir Frank.
Despite the lack of results with WilliamsF1, Webber appears happy with the Grove outfit, and it with him, even if a few insiders refer to him as a "bit of a whinger".
However, nothing in F1 is ever straightforward, and Webber is part of a major game being played out on Planet Paddock, a game involving not just drivers, but also engines and God knows what else.
There has been strong speculation that Renault would do deal with Red Bull, involving engines, Webber and Heikki Kovalainen, with the Austrian teams' Ferrari powerplants being passed on to Toro Rosso. However, Jean Todt recently put the kaibosh on that.
The fact is that Webber is caught up in the whole 'Schumacher, will he, won't he saga', which has the driver market on hold until the German makes (public) his decision.
Although Webber might want WilliamsF1, and WilliamsF1 might want Webber, there could be better deal on offer a couple of months down the line, should the German opt to hang up his helmet.
Unsure of what will happen, Renault has already blinked, signing Giancarlo Fisichella lest it fail to secure the services of Kimi Raikkonen, Frank Williams, on the other hand, appears to be holding out a little longer, ever the Poker player.
With Webber getting advice from Briatore, who let us not forget is also Renault team boss, the Australian might think it best to hold out, hoping that once the driver market kicks into action a vacancy could come arise at Enstone.
It's a highly interesting situation, but the players involved are powerful, successful men, each very, very good at what he does. Williams will know that he risks losing a driver he likes and admires, but at the same time knowing that there could be good reason to hold off and wait.
All eyes on Michael Schumacher, as ever.