Sep.25 (GMM) Toyota is unlikely to finalise its race driver lineup for 2008 during the course of the last three grands prix of this season.



That was the admission of the Cologne based team's principal Tadashi Yamashina in Japan on Tuesday, amid new rumours that a seat is being left open for Felipe Massa in the event that Fernando Alonso drops a bomb on the silly-season by leaving McLaren and switching to Ferrari.



The Japanese said he expects Toyota's decision to not be taken until "the end of the season", according to the German news agency dpa.



Toyota has already confirmed Jarno Trulli for 2008 but is wavering on Ralf Schumacher, who has struggled this year during the last season of his current contract.



Ahead of the first Japanese grand prix for 30 years at the Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway, Tadashi told mostly Japanese reporters: "We continue to contemplate all possibilities. We have still made no decision."



He laughed when asked about the Massa rumours. "I know nothing about it," he added.



32-year-old Schumacher also gave nothing away.



"For the moment everyone negotiates with everyone, but that is completely normal," the German said.