Oct.23 (GMM) Williams chiefs are not even contemplating letting Nico Rosberg depart to McLaren for the 2008 season.

That is the insistence of the Grove based team's co-owner and engineering boss Patrick Head, who addressed increasing speculation that the 22-year-old German would be an ideal replacement for Fernando Alonso next year.

Rosberg is under contract to Williams for 2008, but some have suggested that McLaren's interest might be an excellent source of income for the independent team.

"I don't think Rosberg's departure would be the death of the team but, as a competitive force, until we find somebody who could replace Nico, it would certainly be difficult," Head is quoted as saying.

"It's something neither Frank (Williams) or myself is even contemplating."

Head's comments follow the visit to Interlagos of McLaren's last world champion Mika Hakkinen, who told Finnish commercial television MTV3 that it is very unlikely Alonso will stay at the team in 2008.

The Finn, still a close friend of Ron Dennis, specifically mentioned Rosberg, who he said would be a "great driver for McLaren".