Zanardi still negotiating ride for 1999

   Copyright c 1998 Nando Media
   Copyright c 1998 Associated Press

CLEVELAND (Jul 10, 1998 - 21:39 EDT) -- Rumors that Alex Zanardi has signed
a two-year contract with the Williams Formula One team are premature,
according to the defending CART FedEx Series champion.

The story heated up again Friday, when a radio station in England reported
that Zanardi had made his much-anticipated decision.

Zanardi, in the final year of a three-year contract with Target-Chip
Ganassi Racing, is leading the PPG Cup championship again heading into
Sunday's Medic Drug Grand Prix of Cleveland.

"It is true I am talking to some teams (in Formula One)," Zanardi
said. "But nothing is done and will probably not be done until people
will say: 'OK, Alex, this is it. Take it or leave it.' Then I will make up
my mind."

Zanardi raced with the non-competitive Lotus team in Formula One before
coming to CART. Since moving to the Champ cars in 1996, he has won rookie
of the year honors and the series title, as well as 12 races -- four this
year.

He said the decision would be made soon.

"I think both Chip and I know we cannot drag this out too far, like
late September or October," Zanardi said. "That would be painful
for both of us.

"One thing I have decided, if I stay in the U.S., it will be with this
team."

Zanardi would not confirm which team or teams he was negotiating with in
Formula One, although he did say that "even to be associated in such
reports with the Williams team, which has won championships and is such an
important team, is an honor."

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