Tuesday November 30th, 1999

After months of speculation, it seems likely that Alex Zanardi will part company with Williams before the start of the 2000 season.

Zanardi has a contract with Williams extending through to the end of the 2000 season, but it is believed that severance terms have been agreed to. At this stage Williams have refused to comment on the matter.

Despite previous experience in Formula One, Zanardi has had trouble adapting to the narrow track and grooved tyres now used, failing to score a single point. At the same time, his team-mate Ralf Schumacher scored several podiums on his way to 35 points and sixth in the drivers' standings.

If Zanardi does leave Williams, then there are several drivers who may take his place. However the leading contenders for the seat would have to break existing driving contracts to join Williams. Jacques Villeneuve is in the middle of a two-year contract at British American Racing, Juan Pablo Montoya has already signed to stay with Chip Ganassi in CART for at least one more year and Olivier Panis has just recently signed a contract as test driver for McLaren for 2000.