Jul.20 (GMM) McLaren on Wednesday played down speculation there might be a change of leadership at the very top of the famous British team.

After a difficult home grand prix at Silverstone, British media referred to a "crisis" at Woking based McLaren, triggering rumours Ron Dennis might return to the helm to replace current team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

But the team's managing director Jonathan Neale on Wednesday told reporters that Whitmarsh has done "a fantastic job", not only in charge of McLaren but also the teams' alliance FOTA.

Referring to the speculation, he said during a teleconference: "I'm afraid it's just part of the media circus and expectation, caught in the home grand prix if you've got to deliver and we didn't, you've got to expect a bit of comeback.

"But we want Martin, Lewis and Jenson here for the long term," added Neale.

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