Heidfeld out of Prost 2001 reckoning.

The Prost team today announced that Nick Heidfeld would not be a part of its line-up for next season.

The German, who was loaned to the French team by contract holders McLaren, has struggled to impress in a below par car this year, but had been expected to re-sign with the team for 2001. However, team boss Alain Prost has decided not to take up the option he held on Heidfeld and, as of last week, the youngster was released from his duties with the team regarding the new season.

''Nick has done a good job for us this year,'' Prost admitted, ''but we have decided that he would not fit into the strategy we are putting in place for next year. I sincerely wish him the best success for his future, however.''

No announcement on possible replacements for the German are to be expected until later this week, but his departure will inevitably start renewed speculation that Prost will again be at the helm of the team in 2001. If this is the case, then Jean Alesi will almost certainly be on the driving strength, following his assertions in Belgium on the weekend that he would stay put for as long as his friend was in charge.

Alex Wurz, Ricardo Zonta and Jos Verstappen are among the 'big' names potentially in line for the seat, following rumours that they will not, or may not, be retained by their current employers, but Prost may decide to promote long-term test driver Stephane Sarrazin to the ranks.

It may also be the case, however, that the French team is being ushered down an alley by whichever engine supplier it links up with next year. Although it is unlikely that, unless that company is Japanese, a driver will be foisted on the operation, it is entirely feasible that, should it be Ferrari as rumoured, Pedro Diniz may return to the fold following his time driving a Ferrari-engine Sauber.

Heidfeld's future is even less certain, although he may, like Zonta, consider the option of returning to McLaren to take up the testing duties that served Oliver Panis so well in his return to a race seat. Sauber remains the other potential destination for the young German.