Williams delays driver line-up

(24-Jul-98) - After the announcement of British American Racing that
Jacques Villeneuve would be driving for them next season, Frank Williams
said to wait with announcing his driver line-up until September. This shows
that Williams was hoping to retain the Canadian for his team as he earlier
said to announce the driver line-up before the end of July.

Williams did however thank Villeneuve for what he has done for the team in
the last three years. "We would like to take this opportunity of
thanking Jacques for his contribution to both the 1996 and 1997 FIA Formula
One world Constructors' Championships and to congratulate him on his own
1997 FIA Formula One World Drivers' title. It has been and will continue to
be until the end of this year, a great pleasure to work with Jacques. We
all wish Jacques every success in his new appointment," according to
an official statement issued by the team yesterday.

Even though it's expected that contract negotiations with Alex Zanardi have
almost completed, Williams wants to wait with confirming their driver
line-up.

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