WE DON'T WANT ANY SMART ALEX HERE

TEMPERAMENTAL Alex Zanardi has been warned to cool it or face F1 disaster if, as predicted, he replaces Jacques Villeneuve at Williams.

Zanardi, a superstar in American Cart racing, is favourite to join Williams next season with Villeneuve moving to British American Racing.

The Italian - who raced in Formula One four years ago - may find himself reunited with Johnny Herbert, his former Lotus teammate.

And Herbert, who is dreaming of a pounds 2m move from Sauber to Williams, has warned Zanardi that success in America does not necessarily mean you can win in Formula One.

Zanardi is fresh from four straight cart victories for Ganassi Reynard in America and the reigning Indycar champion looks good for a second successive title.

But Sauber racer Herbert, who has already spoken to Frank Williams about next season's line-up, warned: "I think Alex is running on a big high at the moment but Formula One has changed since he was last here in 1994.

"I know he has got the experience running up at the front in an Indycar team but it's very difficult to run at the front in a F1 team."

If Villeneuve's decision to walk out on Williams was a shock then Zanardi's appointment would be surprising for those who question his personality.

Zanardi will bring with him a fiery reputation built up in the States which could shake-up the Grand Prix paddock.

The Italian, who has also been linked with Villeneuve's new team BAR, was viewed with mixed emotions when he drove for Jordan and Lotus - alongside Herbert - between 1991 and 1993.

Although Zanardi was quite quiet outside the car, his racing potential was sometimes questioned . . . especially when he was blamed once for driving Damon Hill off the track in South Africa.

And Zanardi hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in Belgium where he survived one hellish shunt at one of Grand Prix's fastest corners, the famous Eau Rouge at Spa.

And Villeneuve, who could even partner the Italian next season, had a word of caution for the Indycar man.

Villeneuve, a former Indycar world champion himself before winning last season's F1 title, said: "Alex is very, very quick and competitive and has shown what he is capable of in America.

"He is a fighter but he will have to calm down a little bit more in a Formula One car because the suspension is not as strong as the one used in an Indycar.

"You can't bang people around in Grand Prix racing as he did last year in the States."

Even Herbert has noticed a character change from his old Lotus teammate.

"We got on well together but he has changed," admitted Herbert, who is desperate to move from Sauber after suffering internal strife with his colleague Jean Alesi.

"When I was at Lotus, Alex was a very calm and collected type of guy but he has turned into a more demonstrative Italian type of person in America where he'd throw things around which is what I never saw him do in F1. I've seen him on television get out of his car, stamp around and have a go at another driver.

"Alex is being more aggressive because he's doing well there and really, I don't think it will do him too much harm if he comes over here."

Herbert, winner of two Grand Prix races, is praying to get one more chance to drive for a top team again. He added: "I don't see why I shouldn't be given a chance. My experience may be useful for the Williams team . . . but it must be a long-term deal which is more than one year.

"I have spoken to Frank and we will have to see what opportunities come along but I have other options as well."

Villeneuve is the first top driver and world champion to walk out on Williams for many a year.

Williams - winner of a record nine constructors championships and seven world driver titles - was once the team everyone wanted to join and nobody wanted to leave.

In recent years, team boss Frank Williams and right hand man Patrick Head have ruthlessly made a habit out of dumping world champions like Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Damon Hill if they asked for too much money or their face didn't fit.

Next season they will have a completely new driver line-up after Villeneuve's departure with German Heinz-Harald Frentzen reported to be on his way to the States.

Villeneuve had no doubts about turning his back on the top team to join his friend and former manager Craig Pollock at BAR . . . but a reputed pounds 10million-a-year deal certainly helped!

Williams have certainly struggled since losing designer Adrian Newery to McLaren Mercedes and they can probably expect another barren year next term until they get the new BMW engine.

Villeneuve, who has failed to win a race this season commented: "I was happy at Williams but I expect next year to be an interim season and I just didn't want to do another like this one. Anything new can be a gamble but there are a lot of positive things at BAR.

"There are people in the team I have worked with before and I know they can do a very good job. They showed me lots of things which gave me great confidence."

DEALS ON WHEELS

THE DRIVERS: Where they'll be next season and what they'll earn

M. Schumacher (staying at Ferrari) pounds 20million

Villeneuve (moving Williams to British American Racing) pounds 10million

Hill (could be moving Jordan to BA Racing) pounds 8million

Hakkinen (staying with McLaren) pounds 4million

Irvine (should be staying at Ferrari) pounds 4million

Coulthard (should be staying at McLaren) pounds 3million

Herbert (could be moving Sauber to Williams) pounds 2million

Alesi (staying at Sauber) pounds 2million

Barrichello (staying at Stewart) pounds 2million

Zinardi (could join Williams from US Cart Champs) pounds 2million

Ralf Schumacher (staying at Jordan) pounds 1.5million

Fisichella (staying at Benetton) pounds 1.5million

Wurz (staying at Benetton) pounds 750,000

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