McLaren-Mercedes partnership will continue

McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh insists that McLaren will continue their partnership with Mercedes for the foreseeable future.

In 2013 the McLaren team will become a 'customer team' as their current deal following the sale of shares in the company by Mercedes in 2010 comes to an end.

With Mercedes now a manufacturer in their own right following the purchase of the Brawn GP team, McLaren's long-term future appears a little unknown.

Because of that, speculation has been brewing that McLaren were looking for a new engine partner following the proposed change in engine specifications in 2014.

Formula One teams are set to switch to new 1.6 litre turbo engines from 2014 and Honda were rumoured to be linked with a possible tie up with McLaren.

But Whitmarsh insists that their partnership with Mercedes is set to continue despite the change in circumstances.

'It is going to be McLaren Mercedes for quite a few years to come, It is a good partnership and it works well. We've been together for 18 years and it is going to continue for quite a few years to come. Whitmarsh told the Daily Mail as quoted by Sky Sports.

'I think we have got a very good deal with them, but I think more importantly than that is we have got a good partnership.

'Obviously I've been involved with Mercedes personally. I ran the engine side so we know the people, and we are proud to be part of the Mercedes-Benz family.'