IRL IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon could be announced as a works BMW driver as early as this week.
The British star, who swept all before him in the leading US-based single-seater category in 2005, has declined to comment on rumours of an imminent switch to Formula 1.
"There's a lot going on right now and I can't say anything," he told ITV-F1.
BMW has emerged as favourites to secure his services as a test driver alongside Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve.
This would give Wheldon, who has never driven an F1 car, the wise option of learning the ropes without pressure to provide results.
It would also allow him access to a race seat in 2007 should BMW choose to replace Villeneuve.
From BMW's perspective this would give the German manufacturer a profile boost in the key US market having two Indy 500 winners on the books (JV won the race in 1995).
Wheldon has also been linked to the Williams and Honda teams, but these seem less likely.
While Honda provides the engines for Wheldon's IRL team, Andretti Green Racing, both its F1 slots are taken up by drivers with longterm contracts Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello.
And while Honda now has two more potential seats with Aguri Suzuki's new team, Wheldon has repeatedly said that he would only consider switching to F1 with a top outfit.
Williams, which fits that description, is believed not to count Wheldon among its potential third drivers.
"We have not made a decision on the third driver yet and we are not intending to make an announcement on that for several weeks," said a team spokesperson.
Nico Rosberg meanwhile is expected to be confirmed as Mark Webber's team-mate soon.
