Aug.10 (GMM) McLaren has denied reports that an announcement about the Honda-powered team’s driver plans for 2016 is now imminent.
Media reports claimed the Woking outfit has decided to pair Fernando Alonso next year with Belgian rookie Stoffel Vandoorne, the McLaren-backed current GP2 championship leader.
The reports said an announcement confirming Vandoorne, to the detriment of 2009 world champion Jenson Button who may retire and join the British motoring programme Top Gear, will be made next weekend in Belgium.
But a team spokesman is quoted by Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo: “The information is inaccurate.
“There will be no driver announcement in Spa. Actually, we will discuss and decide on our race drivers for 2016 when it is appropriate,” he added.