Has Zanardi Quit?

Sources suggest that Alex Zanardi may have left the Williams team following a disappointing first season back in Formula One.


The double Champcar title winner failed to score a point in 1999, whilst team-mate Ralf Schumacher finished in the top six in the world championship, and has been under pressure to improve or be replaced. Although both Zanardi and representatives of the Williams organisation have stated that he would not be sacked because he was mid-way through a two-year contract, there is now heavy speculation that the Italian has quit the team.


Zanardi admitted throughout the season that he found the new breed of F1 car difficult to come to terms with and, the Italian GP aside, appeared to struggle for both pace and reliability all year.


If the rumours are true, and Zanardi has walked out on Williams, the Grove team has just over a month to find a suitable replacement before it launches next season's challenger.


The list of alternatives is naturally headed by another Champcar titleist, Juan Pablo Montoya, although the Colombian has said that he wants to stay in the United States for at least another season. Other possibilities include former Williams driver Jacques Villeneuve and Olivier Panis, although both have recently pledged their futures to other outfits, namely BAR and McLaren.


Although Panis is understood to have a clause in his McLaren testing contract which would allow him grace to take up a full-time race position elsewhere, he may ultimately decide to stay with the Woking team. Of the remaining available drivers, those on the waiting list at Arrows and Minardi appear to be the most likely candidates, with Dutchman Jos Verstappen leading the way. Williams test driver Max Wilson may also come into the equation, although he has no real F1 experience.


Williams refused to comment on the rumours.