Media sources in Germany reported today that McLaren Driver, David Coulthard, met with Ferrari officials after the British Grand Prix, and was allegedly offered a sit at Ferrari next year, should Eddie Irvine decide to leave the team. Those reports echo similar rumors from last year, but according to sources, this time Coulthard himself is disillusioned of McLaren's boss, Ron Dennis, and therefore is more willing to make the move. Hence, Coulthard and Ferrari have reached "an unofficial agreement".

Coulthard refused to comment on whether he met with Ferrari at all, but added that "next year, I think, I will still drive with McLaren, together with Mika (Hakkinen)". Furthermore, Ferrari officials stressed that the team's first priority is to re-sign Irvine for next year. However, the team is unwilling to meet Irvine's salary demands, who, according to sources, is now earning over $3 millions and allegedly is asking for a substantial raise. Moreover, Irvine has said lately that he would like his status as second driver to change.

"When Michael (Schumacher) gets all the new bits on the car and I get whatever's left it can get a bit demotivating", Irvine said in a recent interview. "In Monaco I finished on the podium, but it didn't matter because the team were disappointed that Michael didn't win." Nevertheless, Irvine also said that all parties concerned - namely Ferrari, Michael Schumacher and himself - want to see him stay at the Italian team.

Other drivers that are rumored to have been approached by Ferrari are Mika Salo and Olivier Panis.