Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of having good friend Nico Rosberg alongside him at McLaren next season appear to have been dashed after Williams issued a hands-off warning over the German.
Hamilton named Rosberg as one of three drivers he believes are competing to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren next season - and has indicated his fellow 22-year-old would be his preferred option as team-mate.
But Williams director Patrick Head said in the Mail on Sunday: “Nico is contracted to our team for 2008 and we have an option for his services for 2009. ” PendleToday.co
McLaren’s world championship runner-up Lewis Hamilton on Saturday named the young German as one of three drivers who he believes are competing to replace Fernando Alonso next year.
And Hamilton indicated that his fellow 22-year-old would be his preferred team-mate ahead of Adrian Sutil of Renault or Renault’s Heikki Kovalainen.
But Williams director Patrick Head told Britain’s Mail on Sunday newspaper: “Nico is contracted to our team for 2008 and we have an option for his services for 2009.
“We are planning to go into next season with Nico as our lead driver, and we would not entertain any approach from McLaren for Nico.
“McLaren are a team in a position to offer very large salaries, but our aim is to be looking to strengthen Williams. ” CNN.com
However, Head has a controversial suggestion of his own.
“What about McLaren bringing Michael Schumacher out of retirement?
“Michael’s still fit - and probably bored.
“I suspect he has found sitting on the pit wall dull. ” SportingLife
“McLaren are a team in a position to offer very large salaries, but our aim is to be looking to strengthen Williams, ” said Head.
Hamilton had previously singled out Rosberg, Renault’s Kovalainen and Sutil – who drives for Spyker - as potential candidates because he felt they would be good team-mates.
The Briton said: “They are all fantastic drivers. I know all of them quite well, and if I could choose I honestly don’t know who I would pick. “
With Alonso having been offered a drive with Renault next season, the chances of Kovalainen joining the Surrey-based outfit could increase. InTheNews.co
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