Williams: Hands off Nico

The 22-year-old German has been tipped as one of the three favourites to replace former world champion Fernando Alonso at McLaren following his split with the team this week.

Even British superstar Lewis Hamilton said that Rosberg, a good friend of his from their days as team-mates in go-karting, would be an ideal team-mate for 2008.

But Head, who has run Williams in conjunction with team principal Sir Frank Williams since 1978, has reiterated his stance that the youngster will stay put next season.

"Nico is contracted to our team for 2008 and we have an option for his services for 2009," Head told the Mail on Sunday.

"We are planning to go into next season with Nico as our lead driver, and we would not entertain any approach from McLaren for Nico.

"McLaren are a team in a position to offer very large salaries, but our aim is to be looking to strengthen Williams."

Rosberg, whose father Keke won the 1982 world title for Williams, has raced exclusively for them since making his Formula One debut with them in last year's Bahrain Grand Prix, and enhanced his growing reputation with a career-best fourth place in Brazil three weeks ago.

But, despite Williams having first refusal on his service for next season, they have not yet pinned him down to another year's contract.