Formula One/US Grand Prix: Mark Webber is almost certain to leave Jaguar at the end of the season and is weighing up whether Renault or Williams would be the best place to ensure his future success.
The Australian, contracted to Jaguar until the end of 2005, has admitted that a performance-related release clause will come into effect at the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 15th if the team is not running sixth or higher in the constructors' championship.
"The performance clause kicks in around Budapest time," said Webber. "Ultimately I am contracted to Renault for next year as Flavio (Briatore) is in control of what I do. I must consider what's best for me in the immediate future and what will be best for me over the next few years.
"I'm not 22 any more, I'm 27. That's not old, but I want to know how long it's going to take to make it. I have to think very carefully about my next move."
Briatore, the Renault team principal, steers Webber's career through his FB Management company, so Renault have first call on his services. If the Australian wishes to go to Williams then Frank Williams will have to negotiate with Briatore - and write a large cheque - to guarantee his release.
Webber knows that choosing between Renault and Williams will be a tight call. He's not giving anything away, although he did admit that he had "a high opinion" of Sam Michael, the Williams technical director and a fellow Australian.
Going into tomorrow's US Grand Prix, Jaguar would seem to have little chance of making it to sixth place in the constructors' title. The R5's racing record is peppered with retirements this season, their worryingly modest tally of three points from eight races accruing from Webber's eighth and seventh places in Bahrain and at the Nurburgring.
Indeed, the team has embarrassingly been eclipsed by Jordan, who, following last weekend's race in Canada, at which both Nick Heidfeld and Timo Glock scored, have five points, even though the Irish team uses customer versions of Jaguar's Ford-Cosworth engine.
Test driver Glock though will not race for Jordan in Indianapolis this weekend. The team yesterday confirmed Italian Giorgio Pantano has revolved the management dispute which prevented him from driving in Montreal and will race the EJ14 on Sunday.
