Grapevine: Ralf Shrugs Off Toyota Speculation

Ralf Schumacher has shrugged off speculation that he is set for a big-money move from Williams to Toyota.

"It's simply a bit boring in Formula One at the moment now that Ferrari keeps winning, so I think that's why (there are rumours)," the German told reporters at the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix. "There has been a lot of talk about my contract situation. The only thing I say is that as soon as we know anything we will let you know."

Britain's Sun newspaper reported on Wednesday that Ralf, younger brother of Ferrari's six times World Champion Michael, was on the verge of signing a five-year deal with the Japanese manufacturer.

"It looks odds-on that Ralf will be at Toyota next season because there is no way Williams will try and match the offer," a source told the paper. Ralf's manager Willi Weber said after last month's Malaysian Grand Prix, however, that he had not talked to Toyota and Williams remained the main target.

The German said that there would be another meeting with team boss Frank Williams after Bahrain but Ralf said on Thursday that the plans had changed.

"We have decided to wait a little longer. It will come eventually," he said. He added that an announcement was unlikely immediately after Bahrain. "We are still talking. At the moment we really have other problems."

Williams failed to match champions Ferrari's pace in a one-sided opening race in Australia and Ralf failed to finish the second in Malaysia after an engine failure.

"We aren't particularly happy with where we were in the last two races," he said. "There is a lot to do on tyres. The whole package has to improve a bit and then I don't see a problem."