DAVID Coulthard looks increasingly likely to break his links with

Jackie Stewart's Milton Keynes-based team for his second year in Formula

3000 as the Scot is courted by leading contenders in the grand prix

nursery racing class.

Although he has not yet signed a contract Bicester-based Vortex

Motorsport appear to be favourites to win Coulthard's services and drive

a new Reynard, powered by a high-tech AC Cosworth engine.

Joint team principle Ron Meadows admitted last night: ''I would love

to run him this season. Hopefully, a deal can be sorted out within seven

days. He is the best young British driver in terms of speed, ability,

and attitude and will be in Formula One for sure.''

Vortex, whose operation is next door to the Reynard factory in

Oxfordshire, have been running F3000 cars since 1990 but mediocre

driving strength has kept the team out of the limelight.

For Coulthard the move to another organisation would end a three-year

long relationship with Paul Stewart Racing which has coincided with a

vertical rise through the ranks from Formula Ford 1600 to F3000 and F1

tests.

It is believed Vortex are offering a deal below the #400,000 to

#500,000 sponsorship asking price demanded by some outfits for the

nine-race European championship.

Adrian Reynard, founder of the motor-racing constructor, is known to

be keen to have Coulthard playing a major role in developing the car.

Last year a pace-setting series of pre-season tests by the young Scot

did not translate into race results until the end of season when two

third places pulled him up to ninth in the championship.

Last December Coulthard, from Twynholm, near Kirkcudbright, was given

a coveted test session at Silverstone with the Benetton-Ford grand prix

team and despite changeable conditions he posted competitive times.

Countryman and fellow F3000 combatant Allan McNish last night conceded

that his chances of moving up to F1 are non-existent following the

withdrawal of fledgling grand prix contenders Pacific Racing.

McNish, from Dumfries, said that if insufficient cash is forthcoming

for a top-flight European F3000 challenge he will turn his attention to

securing a drive in American Indy Lights racing or the well-paid and

supported Japanese F3000 arena.