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Renault and Toyota have confirmed their tussle to sign up Robert Kubica for next season. It had been believed that the current BMW Sauber driver would be revealed next week as Fernando Alonso's replacement at Renault, but at Suzuka it emerged that Toyota is also pushing to sign the 24-year-old.

"I guess we are probably fighting with our friends here on the right," said Toyota's John Howett in a news conference, also attended by Renault's acting team boss Bob Bell. “But we have to see what happens. Hopefully we can manage but if not then there are alternatives.”

Asked who has the best chance of winning the scrap for Kubica, Bell added: "I think I will say we have and John will say he has, so I think we will let history determine that one."

Howett made clear that there may not be positions available at Toyota for current drivers Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli next season, hence the decision not to take up contractual options with either driver.

"I think we have tried to be fair to the drivers to say that we may not have seats for them and therefore I think it is fair and transparent to do that," he explained. "We remain in contact with both of them, particularly Timo. But I do feel there will be movements in the driver market, some movements even that people aren’t speculating about at the moment and therefore we want to be free to consider the best option for the team for next year."