Formula One news

Williams warns McLaren: Rosberg is ours

The Williams Formula 1 team has warned the McLaren team it will not let go of the team's driver Nico Rosberg in order for Rosberg to replace Fernando Alonso at the Woking based team. McLaren is currently searching for a replacement and Rosberg was mentioned by Hamilton as one of the drivers he would prefer to see as a team-mate.

On Saturday Lewis Hamilton admitted there are three drivers who he would love to see join his team. Nico Rosberg, Heikki Kovalainen and Adrian Sutil would be the best choice according to the McLaren driver.

But Williams director Patrick Head is not letting Rosberg go. He told 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.

"McLaren are a team in a position to offer very large salaries, but our aim is to be looking to strengthen Williams."

According to Head McLaren should search for a retire former champion perhaps. "What about McLaren bringing Michael Schumacher out of retirement?" he suggested. "Michael's still fit - and probably bored. I suspect he has found sitting on the pit wall dull."

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