Perera deal on hold.

Despite optimism that he would be able to reveal which team he would contest the forthcoming Champ Car World Series campaign with before this weekend's Sebring group test, Franck Perera has decided to postpone an announcement.

Although he has been closely linked to both Forsythe Pettit Racing - with which he tested late last year - and Conquest Racing, the Frenchman has not been able to ink a deal for 2008, a situation not helped by recent upheaval within Champ Car itself and confirmation that he would not be in line to 'inherit' the $2m graduation prize eschewed by Rafael Matos, the man who beat him to last year's Champ Car Atlantic title.

"Champ Car has informed all the teams and Franck's management, CJMotorsport, that it will not be passing along the prize money to Franck," Crash.net was told, "However, despite knowing this, three teams still made offers to Franck last week, including Walker, Conquest and Forsythe again.

"Walker seems to be unable to get Craig Gore's sponsorship of the team next season, and Forsythe seems to be unable to commit immediately, so Conquest seems to have the clear advantage. Franck seems closest to finalising a deal with them, which should be announced this week, but, obviously, with the drama and upsets at Champ Car in the last two weeks, things have yet again been postponed as the teams themselves struggle with the changes and future of Champ Car.

"In spite of that, however, Franck's management promises the fans that Franck will be testing in Sebring."

Matos opted to switch to IndyCar's Indy Pro Series for 2008 after he was apparently asked to stump up more than the $2m he was already able to bring to a Champ Car ride, while CCWS' race director Tony Cotman walked out on the series last week.