We expect to lose Williams, admits Cosworth.

Cosworth F1 boss Bernard Ferguson has said that the company is resigned to losing Williams to Toyota next year, despite the team's technical director, Sam Michael, denying that a deal had been done with the Japanese giant.

As such, Cosworth is actively pursuing new customers for its V8, to which Williams have had exclusive access this season.

"It looks that way from everything I've read, and if that's the case, then so be it," said Ferguson of the Toyota stories, "They had a one-year contract, and we're going to try our best to be as competitive as we can for the rest of the year.

"Other teams for next year? Well, we're still talking to people. Nothing's signed at this stage, but we're optimistic that we'll still be around, being a nuisance, next year."

MF1 Racing is an obvious candidate, as it is likely to lose its Toyota supply if Williams signs up, while Toro Rosso could yet upgrade from V10 to V8 power, despite having another year on its agreement to use restricted 2005 engines.

"It's their choice really, as the V10 is still legal for next year," Ferguson said of the latter, "I don't know what would happen if they brought the freeze forward, as that would add a new set of complications. But we have a contract to supply V10s for next year. If Toro Rosso want to modify that contract to something different, then we'll sit down and talk to them and' if we can strike a deal that's great."

The rumour mill has suggested that Red Bull Racing could return to the Cosworth fold, passing off its current Ferrari supply to sister team Toro Rosso, but much hangs on confirmation of Williams switch to Toyota, which could be confirmed during the 'flyaway' races in Canada and the USA.