Jun.22 (GMM) Mario Theissen has played down speculation he is keen on putting Fernando Alonso at the wheel of a BMW-Sauber in 2009.

"That is not my style," the German squad's boss is quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper Diario AS.

"I would prefer to have a young driver who then grows with the team to become an expensive champion," Theissen smiled.

'AS' speculates that Theissen's comments could be interpreted as the BMW chief wanting to 'lower the price' of employing the 26-year-old former two time title winner in 2009.