Cosworth or Mercedes for Midland

(GMM) Williams' Toyota coup means that the Japanese carmaker's existing F1 customer, Midland, is now on the hunt for a new engine deal.

''We've known about it for a little while,'' said the Silverstone-based team's sporting director Johnny Herbert, referring to the fact that the Williams arrangement was basically penned in June.

Herbert, a former grand prix winner with Benetton and Stewart, would not confirm that Cosworth is an option for 'MF1', but did admit that an alternative supply of V8 power could be cheaper.

''Well Toyota are expensive, yes,'' he told 'ITV' in Hockenheim.

Pressed for a name or two, however, the English chief said one option 'may be obvious'.

Herbert then added: ''Yes of course (Cosworth) are an option.''

Another option, although played down this week by Martin Whitmarsh, might be Mercedes-Benz, with McLaren youngster Lewis Hamilton bundled in the deal.

''Of course you would be interested in that!'' Herbert, 42, exclaimed.