Jacques Villeneuve has approached McLaren with a view to becoming a test driver after losing his seat at BAR. The 1997 world champion's career in Formula One looked to be over when he was replaced at BAR by Japanese Takuma Sato earlier this month.
But a McLaren spokeswoman said: "We have been approached by Jacques Villeneuve with regards to a role with the team in 2004."
"However, no meaningful discussions have taken place."
Villeneuve did not compete in the final race of the season in Japan and has not spoken publicly about his plans since then.
But his manager Craig Pollock, who runs a team in the US-based Cart series, was quoted at the weekend as saying that the 32-year-old Canadian would test for McLaren next year and race for another team in 2005.
There has been speculation that Pollock is planning to put together an all-American team for 2005, possibly with Mercedes engines badged as Chrysler.
Mercedes are McLaren's Formula One partners.
McLaren currently have two official test drivers, Austrian Alexander Wurz and Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa.
Wurz has been persistently linked with Jaguar as a likely team-mate for Australian Mark Webber next year.
The McLaren test job has been a useful springboard for drivers seeking to keep their careers alive. France's Olivier Panis took it in 2000 after losing his seat at Prost and went on to return to racing with BAR and Toyota.
McLaren were third overall behind Ferrari and Williams last season with Finland's Kimi Raikkonen runner-up in the drivers' championship.
MMIX
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