McLaren told to forget Rosberg bid

LONDON, England -- Williams have told McLaren to forget about any plans the British-based team might have to sign Nico Rosberg for the 2008 Formula One season.

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."

Rosberg, son of 1982 world champion Keke, finished ninth overall in the drivers' standings as Williams claimed fourth in the constructors' championship.

Kovalainen was seventh ahead of team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella, but both drivers' futures are in doubt after it emerged that Renault boss Flavio Briatore had made an offer to bring Alonso back to the team.

Head, however, showed his distaste for Hamilton's remarks when he made his own suggestion of who McLaren should target -- former Ferrari star and seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher.

"What about McLaren bringing Michael Schumacher out of retirement?," Head said.

"Michael's still fit - and probably bored. I suspect he has found sitting on the pit wall dull." E-mail to a friend

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