The Observer

We received an email this week that made us chuckle. An agent claiming to represent a Champ Car squad contacted one of our advertising team, asking how to get hold of Ralf Schumacher's manager!

It's hard to imagine Ralf being up for the change of scene. He's hardly one of those drivers who seems really in love with the sport. Anything other than Formula One would surely be considered too much of a step down for a man like Ralf.

Still, Mr Champ Car agent, worth a shot, I guess.

It's fashionable to criticise Schuey Jr, and for good reason. Both he and Toyota are almost anonymous in F1, having found themselves lost in the midfield struggle, scratching around for the odd point or two. And that's on the good days.

For a team with the resources of Toyota, and a driver with genuine talent who in the past put in performances his brother would have been proud of, that's embarrassing.

Ralf's F1 story might not be over, of course. He might still land a drive with another team following his departure from Toyota at the end of this year. But where exactly? And why? Is the hunger really still there? It's hard to believe.

There have been too many 'off' days at Toyota for Ralf to be considered a top-liner. He hasn't been one of those for years. But as we wait for Fernando Alonso's future to become clear, teams such as McLaren, Renault and Williams look set to have openings for 2008. Will Ralf even register as an option for any of these teams? Surely not for McLaren and Renault.

Ralf Schumacher © LAT

Perhaps Williams might be interested. Perhaps. Technical director Sam Michael always had time for him during Ralf's heyday at the team. But Japanese GP2 driver Kazuki Nakajima is tipped to replace Alex Wurz in a move that would please engine supplier Toyota. And given that Ralf is walking away from the biggest car manufacturer in the world, it hardly seems likely that he would be welcomed into its customer team - which is, of course, also its number one team in F1 at the moment. More embarrassment.

So where else? Spyker/Team India? Surely not. Then again, never say never, I suppose...

But let's face it, the future of Ralf Schumacher in F1 is pretty much incidental for most of us. He won't exactly be missed by many people if this is the end of the line.

What is really fascinating is where Alonso will pitch up in 2008, and what effect a team move would have on the rest of the grid.

More than ever, it seems inconceivable that Alonso can remain at McLaren next year - whatever his contract says. As we all know, he hasn't spoken to Ron Dennis since the Hungarian Grand Prix and even relations with Lewis Hamilton, which were just about bearing up through the summer, have now broken down, seemingly beyond repair.

This week Alonso has told the Spanish media that a sabbatical is not on his mind, that he is sure he wants to race on. That's interesting. I for one thought this was perhaps the most likely outcome for 2008 - and it still could be. Alonso might not want it, but it would suit Dennis very well.

But if Alonso can squirm out of McLaren and straight into another race drive, a place at Renault makes sense. He would be welcomed back to his old, familiar team. But would he want to go back? After all, it was his choice to leave in the first place - and it's human nature that once you have chosen to move on from somewhere, you rarely feel the urge to return. Unless you have to, of course.

So perhaps - just perhaps - we come back to Toyota. Could Alonso be the man to replace Ralf? Yes, he could.

Toyota can afford Alonso, and they desperately need to hire a driver capable of lifting them from their pit of mediocrity. Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher looked like a strong line-up when they joined Toyota - and let's face it, both are proven winners.

But the team have yet to sign a true star name who will almost guarantee progress and proper results. That time surely has come.

Fernando Alonso speaks with Toyota test driver Franck Montagny © LAT

Whether Alonso would be up for the challenge Toyota represents is another matter. He will recognise just how much work there is still to do in Cologne and he will be familiar with the frustration that has ground down his old teammate Trulli.

At Monza Jarno told me that he can see the potential at the team, and that he has to be ready for the day when it finally does come good. He hasn't lost his faith - yet.

And that might be enough to convince Alonso that Toyota could be the answer. He would be able to mould the team around him, drawing on those plentiful resources and working hard behind the scenes to get the corporation thinking like an F1 team.

He has the experience and knowledge to do that - much like Michael Schumacher did when he joined Ferrari. It would be fascinating to watch.

But who knows what is going on in the mind of Fernando Alonso these days? The quiet, smiling Spaniard I knew back in his Formula 3000 season is almost unrecognisable today. He was never exactly gregarious, but he is so insular and shut off from everyone who does not form part of his inner circle that he is becoming hard for anyone in F1 to understand.

There are two races still to run and he could still become a three-time world champion in the coming weeks, of course. But thanks to the phenomena that is Lewis Hamilton, we have all had to re-evaluate our perceptions of Alonso this year, whatever the outcome in China and Brazil. And we have seen a dark side to Alonso that was only ever hinted at in his Renault days.

It's actually a little sad to see. He's still a great driver and a great champion. But he needs a change. The McLaren move that looked like such a great idea has gone horribly wrong.

So it's time to start again. And perhaps Toyota is exactly the right place to do it.