Toyota admit to Ralf talks

Toyota have confirmed that they have held talks with Williams driver Ralf Schumacher.

But the Cologne-based team insisted that no deal had been done and said they were also in discussions with a number of other drivers.

A Toyota spokesman said: "We are talking to various drivers and one of them is Ralf, we don't deny this."But reports that we have signed him are absolutely not true."

There has been speculation that Toyota are close to tying up a long-term deal with Ralf, who is looking increasingly likely to leave Williams at the end of the year.

The German has come under fire for a series of below-par performances this season – technical director Patrick Head called his showing at Bahrain “a bloody mess” – and has been told he must take a pay cut if he wants to stay in 2005.

In contrast, Toyota are believed to be willing to match or even exceed Ralf’s current salary.

Former team boss Ove Andersson indicated earlier this year that he was their number one target for next season.