[JPMontoya]

The German driver Nick Heidfeld is being targeted by the Toyota team about a drive for next season.

Cologne officials have been impressed with the 24-year-old’s rock solid performances over the past year. He finished eighth in the 2001 Championship and has made a strong start to 2002 with two points finishes in five rounds.

Heidfeld is believed to have responded positively to Toyota’s interest, saying that the new, highly financed operation that has scored two points this year had "impressed" him.

The German is contracted to Sauber until the end of next year though, and Peter Sauber has already stated that he will go to great lengths to keep his talent in his ranks. However, he was willing to sell the young Finn Kimi Raikkonen to McLaren last year – a transaction that made him a lot of money.

It is rumoured that Toyota is considering replacing the Scottish driver Allan McNish for next year’s campaign.

SOURCE : dailyf1.com