AUGUST 18, 2003

The Silly Season - a summary

Ferrari

Michael Schumacher has a contract until the end of 2006. Rubens Barrichello is under contract to Ferrari for 2004 but there are suggestions that he could be moved to Sauber to make way for Ferrari rising star Felipe Massa.

Williams

Both Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher are officially under contract until the end of 2004. There are rumours that Montoya will go to McLaren after that and that Ralf Schumacher has signed a two-year extension to his deal.

McLaren

Kimi Raikkonen is under a long-term contract with McLaren, this is believed to last until the end of 2006. The team has an option on David Coulthard for one more season. It is rumoured that Montoya will replace him in 2005.

Renault

Fernando Alonso is under a long term contract to the team which lasts until at least 2006. Jarno Trulli is in the final year of his contract but team boss Flavio Briatore has said that he will retained next year.

Sauber

Both Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Nick Heidfeld are out of contract at the end of the current season.

Jordan

Giancarlo Fisichella is a free agent at the end of this year. Ralph Firman signed a deal for several years but the team will have options to keep him or not.

Jaguar Racing

Mark Webber recently signed a contract with Jaguar until the end of 2005 although there are believed to be options at the end of each year which could allow Webber to move to Williams in 2005. Justin Wilson's deal is officially just for the rest of this year but there is no doubt that the team has options on him for the years ahead.

BAR

Jenson Button is under contract to BAR until the end of 2006 with an option for two years beyond that. Jacques Villeneuve is out of contract at the end of this year and negotiations are now taking place about a new deal.

Minardi

As Minardi needs to raise money from its drivers and their associated sponsors, both Jos Verstappen and Nicolas Kiesa are out of contract at the end of the year, although there may be options for them to continue in the future.

Toyota

Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta are both under contract with the team until the end of 2004.