Red Bull and Bridgestone

The latest rumor in F1 circles is that Red Bull will be enticed into the Bridgestone camp next year. The fledgling team, presently Michelin clad and Cosworth powered, recently signed a contract with Ferrari for customer V8 engines from 2006.

Ferrari, struggling on the Japanese made tire, is Bridgestone's only top outfit and now not-so-secretly keen to share the development burden. Scarlet principal Jean Todt gave the rumor short thrift in the Circuit de Catalunya paddock.

''There are still fourteen races left to go in this season,'' the Frenchman insisted. 'Let's finish the year and then we'll see.''

Todt also hammered a nail in a dodgy rumor that Grove based Williams may also buy Ferrari engines if dumped by BMW. ''It's not even a question,'' he fired back, ''that could occur.''