[b]Another Interesting Article dug up....[/b]

Covetous eyes cast in Toyota’s direction by BMW Williams driver Ralf Schumacher have added further its growing stature in the F1 paddock.

Even allowing for the young German’s disappointment at the current level of performance of his new BMW Williams FW25, his comments are an echo of other positive observations leading F1 lights have made regarding Toyota’s progress.

They have led to speculation that when his contract with BMW Williams runs out at the end of 2004, the world champion’s brother will be heading to the German-based team. His manager Willi Weber has tried to play things down in the run-up to Melbourne but given the gee-up Ralf received from the management at Grove recently, his relationship with the team is not as good as it was., And by the start of the 2005 season Toyota may be in a position to start winning races – possibly even vying for the championship – if winter testing proves to be a true indication of the progress it has made with its new TF103.

With its $280m budget for 2003, and a confirmed spend of $1bn by the end of 2004, Toyota is also popular with high-flying drivers seeking competitive rides, though insiders says that neither Olivier Panis nor Cristiano da Matta is receiving big money this year. They are thought to be earning $5m and $3.5m respectively.

[color=gray]Article taken from [url="http://www.forumla1.com"]http://www.forumla1.com[/url][/color]
[color=gray]11th March 2003[/color]

From itv-f1.com:

Toyota boss Ove Andersson has dismissed talk linking Ralf Schumacher with the team.

Schumacher's manager Willi Weber claimed earlier this season that the Japanese team were interested in securing the services of the Williams man.

However, Andersson has said there is no truth in the rumours, and reckons that Weber has made them up to pursue his own agenda.

He said: "There is no truth in the stories about us and Ralf Schumacher. They have originated from Mr Weber, not from our side.

"There must be some kind of reason, but only Mr Weber knows what it is."

However, Andersson would not rule out signing a big name like Schumacher at some point in the future.

He said: "It is a question of whether you wait until you are big enough to get a big name or whether you get a superstar to help you gain competitiveness like Ferrari did with Michael Schumacher."