Toyota has admitted harboring at least a superficial interest in F1's reigning double world champion Fernando Alonso. With the Spaniard plainly unhappy at McLaren in 2007, his former boss and mentor Flavio Briatore this week explained that "everybody" in pitlane would be interested in making a bid for the 26-year-old.

The German newspaper Bild on Wednesday then claimed that Cologne based Toyota has spending power of $40m for its second race seat next year and would be willing to receive Alonso if he goes on the market for 2008. Toyota president John Howett, having decided not to automatically take up the 'option' on Ralf Schumacher's current contract, admits that Alonso is right at the top of his driver wish list.

"Of course," he is quoted as saying by Motorsport Aktuell, "and I would imagine the same is also true for half of everybody else." (GMM)