Vasser rumored to make jump to F1

This is exactly what Jimmy Vasser had hoped to avoid.

The Las Vegas driver earlier this year said he wanted to concentrate on the CART FedEx Championship Series and not on his contract negotiations with team owner Chip Ganassi or other potential suitors.

But Vasser has found himself the hot topic among the international motor sports media, amid rumors that he might leave Target/Ganassi Racing for Formula One when his contract expires at the end of this season.

Those rumors heated up Thursday with the announcement that defending F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve is leaving the Williams race team to team with the new British American Racing team.

Both Vasser and his Target/Ganassi teammate, Alex Zanardi, have been linked with possible moves into Formula One. Some reports have suggested Vasser will team with Villeneuve, a former Indy Car champion, at BAR while Zanardi would replace Villeneuve at Williams.

"There are probably way more rumors than there should be," Vasser said Wednesday. "I'm very close to finalizing a deal with Target/Ganassi Racing ... although I never discount any possibilities about any F1 or other CART racing teams."

Vasser, who also has been courted by Indy Car veteran Bobby Rahal to take over his Miller Lite ride when Rahal retires at season's end, said there is some lure to driving on the F1 circuit.

"The appeal about F1 is that it's considered the top racing series in the world and it can be a great opportunity in my career. (But) the success we've had (with Target/Ganassi), the guys on the team, the chemistry and the great Target team (are the advantages of staying in CART)."

Villeneuve, who has struggled this season behind the McLarens and Ferraris, is a close friend of BAR managing director Craig Pollock. He will join the former Tyrrell outfit as soon as his contract with Williams ends later this year.

In a statement issued Thursday, Williams said Williams Grand Prix Engineering would not announce its driver lineup until early September.

archive