Ralf Wants Trulli as Teammate at Toyota

Ralf Schumacher has called for Jarno Trulli to be named as his teammate at Toyota for the 2005 season after claiming the Italian is the best option available.

Schumacher, currently sidelined with a back injury following his high-speed crash in the United States Grand Prix in June, attended the German Grand Prix on Saturday and urged Toyota to move for Trulli.

"I've heard rumours that Trulli is on the market and he would be (my) first choice," said Schumacher, who will quit Williams after six seasons at the end of 2004. "It depends on what is on the market and I've not spoken to anyone at Toyota about that but he would be my choice."

Trulli, the only driver other than World Champion Michael Schumacher to have won a race this year, is understood to have agreed terms with Toyota after falling out of favour with Renault.

He upset the team by giving away a podium finish on the final lap of their home Grand Prix in France when he allowed Rubens Barrichello through for third and then spectacularly crashed out of the British Grand Prix with broken suspension.

Schumacher believes his move to Toyota will give him the opportunity of a new challenge but he admitted that he does not expect the team to be on the pace immediately from the start of next season.

"It will take some time, no doubt, but on the other hand you tell me a team you can go to win a world title apart from Ferrari," said Schumacher. "It will be a great project together.

"It is hard to leave Williams. I have been here six years and there are a lot of great people around here and it has been a pleasure to work with them. It is just the possibilities at this young, huge (Toyota) team.

"They have good people and a good budget and there is clearly something to come and it's just that after six years I want to try something new. It is very interesting to be involved a lot more and have a better chance of success."