Toyota wants Kubica or Raikkonen

Robert Kubica's name has emerged in the last few hours as one of the main candidates for one of Toyota's steering wheels in 2010 and team president John Howett also admitted at Suzuka that he would be happy to have Raikkonen in his team. However, the Finn is thought to be on the verge of signing for McLaren and Kubica is set to be confirmed at Renault in the coming weeks.

But the Pole's manager, Daniele Morelli, was photographed during a meeting with Howett on Friday morning, who then told journalists: "We know who we would like to have as a driver next year and we are working hard to realize this idea .”

Howett also admitted that Toyota “has always expressed interest in Kimi.”

For now Toyota is waiting to first confirm Timo Glock or Jarno Trulli for next season and according to the latest rumors this is due to uncertainties regarding the future of the Japanese team.

But Howett, hinting that Trulli will probably leave the team, confirmed that Toyota is seriously trying to follow a new line.

“We want to leave our options open given the intense movement in the driver market,” said the Briton, who also said it would be “stupid” if a top driver were not to consider Toyota as an option from 2010 onwards Then.

“He (Glock) did a fantastic job in Singapore and we are talking to him, but to be honest we believe that this result (second place) could have been achieved more frequently if we had managed to qualify in that position more times.

“I'm sorry, it's tough, but it's our job to demonstrate results,” Howett added. “This year we have a car capable of reaching the podium and being closer to the top with more regularity. We have to keep all our options open, and to be able to get someone if the opportunity comes we have to have two spots open.”

Andre' Cotta