The German regional newspaper "Kölner Express" has reported that Ralf Schumacher has signed a four-year deal with the Williams team. It state that BMW, who will supply Williams with its engine in 2000, have asked for a German driver. The contract is said to have been signed after the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Williams team have so far refused any comment, but - as previously reported on Atlas F1 - Peter Windsor, a former Williams manager revealed last Sunday in London's Sunday Times that the young Schumacher has already signed with the team.

However, later today the Reuters news agency quoted Ralf Schumacher as denying he has any deal closed with Williams. "This is all speculation, pure and simple,", said the German. "Nothing has been signed with anyone yet and nothing was signed last weekend at Budapest. We are in talks with many teams, one of which is Williams and one of which is Jordan, but we are still in negotiations. Nothing has been finalized."

Johhny Herbert has also been linked to the team together with Alex Zanardi. Herbert is not at all happy with his current team, Sauber.

There have also been some rumours that Nigel Mansell would buy himself into the team. Technical Director Patrick Head however has dismissed this as total nonsence.

Jeff Gordon is rumoured to be set to test the BAR-Mechachrome at some point. Jeff Gordon, 27, is 2 times NASCAR Winston Cup Champion and has expressed a desire to test an F1 car. Craig Pollock has been in contact with Gordon and would like to get him into the BAR car if at all possible.

This is not a precursor to joining F1 as Gordon is on record as saying that if he wanted to do F1 he would have needed to have started in FFord 10 years ago and in any case he would not be interested in being a rookie again.

Pollock is also rumoured to be trying to get Jeff into a Champ Car for a test and Team Kool Green seems to be the most likely option given the rumours circulating about the proposed takeover of the Champ Car team by the BAR boss.