Wurz confident of landing 2001 ride.

Deposed Benetton driver Alex Wurz may not be forced out of Formula One at the end of the year, after apparently being offered several alternative seats for 2001.

The lanky Austrian will lose his seat at Enstone to rising star Jenson Button next season and, with the exception of Sauber, was not thought to have attracted much interest from the paddock. It has now emerged, however, that there may be as many as four different offers on the table, as the annual 'silly season' draws to a close.

Although none of the offers is thought to be from a 'big' team, Wurz's management team has admitted to talking with several teams regarding potential race deals for next year. In addition to Sauber, these are expected to include Arrows and Minardi, with Prost also in the frame depending on the future of the team.

Minardi would appear to be the least attractive of the quartet, notwithstanding Prost's poor form in 2000, but may yet prove to be the surprise package of next year should it land Supertec engines as rumoured. Arrows, meanwhile, is strongly tipped to be re-hiring both Pedro de la Rosa and Jos Verstappen, leaving Sauber as the only other viable choice for Wurz.

With Mika Salo now confirmed as leaving for Toyota, and Pedro Diniz's place in jeopardy after a quiet season, this looks to be the most likely destination for the Austrian and his small bag of sponsorship.