Whither Zonta as the merry-go-round turns again?

Last night's announcement that Jacques Villeneuve had re-signed with British American Racing for another three years casts great doubt on his team-mate's future there.

Ricardo Zonta has partnered the Canadian in each of the Brackley outfit's first two seasons in the top flight, but has seldom been able to produce the sort of performance his junior career predicted. Ironically, his last outing, at the A1-Ring, last weekend was possibly the best he has had in his short F1 history, but may not now be enough to save his seat.

Had Villeneuve opted to sign for the Renault-owned Benetton operation next year, Zonta's head could have been lifted from the chopping-block in the interests of continuity, but the Canadian's decision means that a new face in the second car is now the most likely scenario.

To make matters worse for Zonta, his contract with McLaren also runs out at the end of 2000. The Woking team was quick to seize on his signature after a junior career that yielded titles in both F3000 and GTs, but may now be looking to quietly sweep it under the carpet after the Brazilian failed to sparkle in F1. Zonta's options would appear to be few, particularly as he appears to lack the sort of backing that has prolong compatriot Pedro Diniz's stay in the category, but his name has been linked to possible vacancies at Arrows and Minardi.

Villeneuve's decision to remain at BAR should also kick-start the rest of the transfer market, with Benetton now having to look for alternatives to partner Giancarlo Fisichella. The Italian was rumoured to have been given the choice between a pay-cut or a P45 had Villeneuve jumped ship, but is now likely to be kept on his original contract to act as team leader. His experience will be vital if, as expected, Flavio Briatore announces the signing of Williams refugee Jenson Button to replace the departing Alex Wurz for 2001.

The 20-year old Briton had been on the short-list for several teams once it became apparent that Williams was going to land Colombian sensation Juan Montoya after a protracted battle with CART owner Chip Ganassi, but Briatore's interest in his situation after Austria heightened the paddock rumour that Benetton would be his home for the next couple of years.

BAR featured on the list of potential destinations for Button, but the seat alongside Villeneuve is now most likely to be occupied by Frenchman Olivier Panis. As he had hoped, the former Prost driver made a sufficient impression while testing for McLaren this season to attract attention from rival teams, and has apparently confided to friends that he has a race contract in his pocket for 2001.

Jaguar, too, was potentially in the race for Button's signature, although it has yet to officially announce that veteran Johnny Herbert will be replaced at the end of his contract. Herbert, however, has done enough hinting about a switch to the US race scene to all but do himself out of a drive, and Jaguar's decision to test ex-pat Scot Dario Franchitti last week has left many observers believing that the CART star will be installed alongside Eddie Irvine for the team's second season.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen was the hot tip for Jaguar for much of the season but, again in the absence of official confirmation, the German is understood to have agreed terms with current employer Jordan, on the basis - like Villeneuve - that Honda engines will be the force in Formula One over the next couple of years.

The 'silly season' does not end there, however, for the smaller outfits at the tail of the grid are just as entwined in it as the big boys at the front. The potential acquisitions of both Prost and Minardi naturally make the four drivers involved the target of transfer rumours, with veteran Jean Alesi rumoured to be following re-badged Peugeot engines to Arrows, despite being in the middle of a two-year deal with team boss Alain Prost. Marc Gene and Nick Heidfeld both look slightly more secure due to sponsorship and hidden talent respectively, but Gaston Mazzacane could find himself back racing sportscars next season if Minardi is indeed taken over by any one of the parties reportedly interested in the team.

Alesi's partner at Arrows, should he move to Leafield, will almost certainly be Pedro de la Rosa unless, by some twist of fate, the Spaniard beats Panis to the second BAR seat. The team was apparently interested in his signature earlier in the season, but that has cooled as much as the Villeneuve situation heated up.

All of which leaves under-rated Dutchman Jos Verstappen in the wilderness - again. Unless, of course, Mika Salo accepts Toyota's offer of another season testing instead of racing. Or Peter Sauber decides that Pedro Diniz's poor finishing record outweighs the financial benefit he brings to the team. Or, indeed, that Toyota decides to capitalise on Japanese rival Honda's decision not to enter its own effort - with which Verstappen spent so much time......

As certainly as the wheels will be turning at Hockenheim this weekend, so too will the annual 'silly season' merry-go-round.