Hands off Rosberg, McLaren told

Lewis Hamilton's hopes of having good friend Nico Rosberg alongside him at McLaren next season appear to have been dashed after Williams issued a hands-off warning over the German.

Hamilton named Rosberg as one of three drivers he believes are competing to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren next season - and has indicated his fellow 22-year-old would be his preferred option as team-mate.

But Williams director Patrick Head said in the Mail on Sunday: "Nico is contracted to our team for 2008 and we have an option for his services for 2009."

He added: "We are planning to go into next season with Nico as our lead driver, and we would not entertain any approach from McLaren for Nico.

"McLaren are a team in a position to offer very large salaries, but our aim is to be looking to strengthen Williams."

Hamilton named Rosberg, son of 1982 world champion Keke, on a potential shortlist which also included Adrian Sutil or Heikki Kovalainen.

The latter would appear easiest to secure, with Alonso having been offered a deal by the Finn's Renault team for 2008.

However, Head has a controversial suggestion of his own.

"What about McLaren bringing Michael Schumacher out of retirement?

"Michael's still fit - and probably bored," he said. "I suspect he has found sitting on the pit wall dull."