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F1: Toyota In No Hurry to Name Driver, Says Howett
Written by: Adam Cooper
RACER Magazine   http://www.racer.com/speedtv
09/04/2007 - 07:00 PM
Monza, Italy
 
Schumacher and Howett: each other's B-plan? (LAT Photo) » More Photos

Toyota F1 president John Howett insists that the team is not in any hurry to name its second driver for 2008 and beyond.

Jarno Trulli has an ongoing contract, but Ralf Schumacher's deal has come to an end and the German does not appear to have many options for next season. As such he is prepared to wait and see if Toyota finally decides to retain him for another season.

Timo Glock is thought to be high on Toyota's wish list, and BMW has not yet named him as its third driver for 2008. Williams test driver and Toyota protégé Kazuki Nakajima is an outside bet. It is thought likely that the team wants him to get more experience before giving him a high profile race drive, but he has been a regular GP2 podium finisher of late.

While Nico Rosberg is also an attractive alternative, and Williams is an engine partner, sources suggest that on principle Toyota would not get involved in some kind of barter to get him out of his contract.



Get the inside story of the people, science and history of Formula 1 each month in RACER.
Tony Dodgins looks into the complex issues behind the McLaren/Ferrari spy scandal in our October issue, on sale now.


"At the moment we're fairly comfortable," Howett told SPEEDtv.com. "We're looking and waiting to see what happens, whether there's any other movement in the driver market. It's a risk for us potentially, but we'll see."

He denied that retaining Ralf would be the last resort once all other avenues have been explored.

"He might be higher than a fall back position, depending on availability. There are other drivers who are not even on the list. At the moment we just feel we want to wait. For him it's a very uncomfortable position it's clear, I personally have quite a lot of sympathy for him. Probably by the end of the season we should have an idea of what we want to do."

Meanwhile Schumacher told SPEEDtv.com that he would wait, if he had to.

"I'm very positive," said the German. "As soon as we have something to announce, we'll do it. There are opportunities, I don't want to go into that, and you just have to be patient. It might well take until the end of the year or whatever. Let's wait. Both sides are completely free to do whatever they like."