Railbird
04-10-04, 11:13 AM
From Crashnet:
The Panasonic Toyota Racing team have confirmed that they are talking to Ralf Schumacher about a possible deal for 2005, however they added that nothing has yet been signed.
According to reports in the press, in the build-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the German was rumoured to have already signed a deal worth around £60 million.
Ralf though, speaking in the Bahrain GP pre-event press conference rejected that, adding that 'negotiations' with Williams were still on going.
Andrea Ficarelli, a spokesperson for Toyota told Reuters yesterday [Friday] though that discussions are taking place.
"We are talking to various drivers and one of them is Ralf, we don't deny this," he said. "But reports that we have signed him are absolutely not true."
Ralf's contract with Williams expires at the end of this season, when team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya will also depart for McLaren.
Toyota currently have Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta on their books, and it is thought that should Ralf join the team, Panis is the more likely to be left out in the cold.
Williams meanwhile are said to be considering a number of replacements for their current duo, including BAR-Honda's Jenson Button, Jaguar's Mark Webber, and IRL champion Scott Dixon. Williams third driver, Marc Gene is also a possibility.
The Panasonic Toyota Racing team have confirmed that they are talking to Ralf Schumacher about a possible deal for 2005, however they added that nothing has yet been signed.
According to reports in the press, in the build-up to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the German was rumoured to have already signed a deal worth around £60 million.
Ralf though, speaking in the Bahrain GP pre-event press conference rejected that, adding that 'negotiations' with Williams were still on going.
Andrea Ficarelli, a spokesperson for Toyota told Reuters yesterday [Friday] though that discussions are taking place.
"We are talking to various drivers and one of them is Ralf, we don't deny this," he said. "But reports that we have signed him are absolutely not true."
Ralf's contract with Williams expires at the end of this season, when team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya will also depart for McLaren.
Toyota currently have Olivier Panis and Cristiano da Matta on their books, and it is thought that should Ralf join the team, Panis is the more likely to be left out in the cold.
Williams meanwhile are said to be considering a number of replacements for their current duo, including BAR-Honda's Jenson Button, Jaguar's Mark Webber, and IRL champion Scott Dixon. Williams third driver, Marc Gene is also a possibility.