A close confidante of Sir Frank Williams has put a twist on recent news stories that Mark Webber is likely to take a pay-cut for 2007. Guardian journalist Alan Henry, a long time personal friend of the Grove team’s principal, headlined on Tuesday that the 29-year-old driver is ‘on way out of Williams as talks stall’.

An option on the Australian’s contract ran out on Monday night, and Alan Henry added that Webber was ‘poised to quit the … team’ because talks have now ‘reached deadlock’. Williams told the newspaper: ”We are still negotiating, but nothing is fixed.”

The Guardian, however, cited ‘other sources’ who hint at a breakdown in talks, while the Herald Sun in Australia published that Webber is ‘tantalisingly close’ to switching to Renault or McLaren. Webber, who was quoted elsewhere as not being ‘massively’ excited about Williams’ new Toyota engine deal, said: ”There is actually no rush, because we don’t know what is happening further up the grid.”

He hinted that Williams’ brinkmanship tactics might backfire. ”Frank wants a bit more time which suits me perfectly,” Mark explained. ”I might be in a position to wait a bit. ”I think things will be decided at the absolute latest by Monza in September.”

[GMM]

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