Presence of Alonso at Toyota possible but

Toyota needs a car with greater performance to be able to court Alonso, stated Norbert Haug. He also questioned Toyota’s legitimacy in making a serious offer suitable for the caliber of Fernando Alonso and this in the near future.

The reigning world champion does not feel comfortable at McLaren and must look towards other teams for 2008. The latest rumors have more strongly linked him with Renault or Ferrari. However, the Japanese team also possesses the necessary resources for a possible contract with Alonso. Especially now, a spot has opened up following the official announcement of Ralf Schumacher’s departure.

The main team of Tadashi Yamashina said at the Fuji speedway last week: « I don’t know if Fernando Alonso will come to Toyota or not. If he wants to, I have to consider this possibility. »

However, Schumacher stated this week that he would rather stay with McLaren if he were in the shoes of the double world champion.

« What Ralf probably meant to say is that if Toyota wants a lead driver like Alonso, it seems normal to provide him with a car whose performance matches his skills, as we do, » added Haug, head of competition at Mercedes, partnered with McLaren on the engine level.

He also ruled out any possibility of hiring Schumacher next year, insisting that McLaren’s lineup for 2008 is already contractually fixed.

The likely future world champion Lewis Hamilton, however, seems open to the possibility of racing with a new teammate in the near future. « I’m not interested in the identity of my teammate. I’ve beaten many of my teammates in the past, » he said in Japan.