Oct.16 (GMM) Ralf Schumacher has named countryman Timo Glock as his preferred successor at Toyota for the 2008 season.

Speculation insists that Glock, the newly crowned GP2 champion, is likely to sign a contract after Sunday's Brazilian grand prix.

Departing Schumacher, 32, backed the rumour in discussion with the German newspaper Bild-Zeitung ahead of his final race for Toyota.

"Timo Glock was very strong in GP2 this year and would absolutely deserve the place," he said.

Schumacher, however, said Toyota's "first priority" should be pushing to attract Fernando Alonso to the team, amid uncertainty about the Spaniard's whereabouts for next season.

"Clearly, if a guy like him is available, a company like Toyota should do everything to get him," Ralf added.