McLaren warned off Rosberg
Williams are keen to hold on to Rosberg for next season
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Sunday, 04, Nov 2007 12:28
Williams have denied that driver Nico Rosberg is a candidate to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren next season.
The German had been named, along with Adrian Sutil and Heikki Kovalainen, by Lewis Hamilton as a possible replacement for the departing double world champion.
However, Williams director Patrick Head insists that the 22-year-old will remain at with his current team for at least another two years.
He told the Mail on Sunday: "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."
Head admitted that McLaren were an attractive team for any driver, but insisted Williams would not concede ground to their British counterparts.
"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.