Rosberg to Toyota, Jarno out in the cold?

By Nick Sparkes
May 8 2006

This years Formula One driver market has never been more widespread, with a number of key drivers and seats up for grabs. At Toyota its rumoured Ralf Schumacher has an extra 3-year extension upon his current contract which ends this year, whilst Jarno Trulli’s is up for renewal.

Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher have all been linked to drive for the red and white Japanese car manufacture, but with their futures set elsewhere, it looks unlikely that either of those two will be sitting in a Toyota on next years grid. Ralf Schumacher looks all but confirmed, his name adds a lot to Toyota’s marketing strategy and since the introduction of last years TF105B, he’s been on the pace and collecting important points. In contrast Jarno Trulli has gone the other way, failing to score a single point over the first five races this year and ended 2005 in a similar fashion. As much as the team say they are happy with the Italian, the verdict here at TotallyToyotaF1.com is that Jarno could be on his way out.

If this is the case, Nico Rosberg has been rumoured to fill his place. His name is also linked with a line of Toyota engine at Williamns, to be re-branded Lexus, which could be cheaper than the teams current Cosworth supply. With Williams desperate to get hold of some Toyota power in 2007, which has been helped by a string of reliability problems with Cosworth, Nico Rosberg to Toyota, possibility partnering Ralf, and cheap Toyota engines to Williams in exchange looks a likely possibility.

At the last race in Europe, Rosberg came from the very back of the grid to finish in the points, ahead of the sole remaining Toyota of Jarno Trulli.