Toyota: We HAVEN'T offered Kimi a contract

By Nick Sparkes
January 11 2006

Toyota's John Howett has stated that his team haven't made an offer to McLaren's Kimi Räikkönen in spite of media speculation. The Finn who's contract at McLaren runs out at the end of 06, is rumoured to be contracted to Ferrari next year yet no official word has been made on Räikkönen's 07 plans.

Some weeks back Totally Toyota F1 reported that the Japanese team had approached Räikkönen with an offer to drive for Toyota from 2007 onwards. This was then highlighted in the media where Toyota and Ferrari had become the two major contenders for the Finn's services, but Toyota have come out running, stating that they haven't made contact with the McLaren ace and are only thinking of 2006 at this current stage in time.

John Howett told Autosport: "Much like the rumours concerning Toyota and Fernando Alonso some weeks ago, there is absolutely no truth in the rumour that Toyota has offered a contract or payment for the services of Kimi Räikkönen."

"We are only just at the start of our 2006 season preparations and, together with our race drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli, we will do our utmost to take Toyota another notch up the constructors' championship this year."

Chat about the Kimi – Toyota dilemma on the Totally Toyota F1 message board by clicking here.