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Whitmarsh unconcerned by 'spurious stories' over drivers

Martin Whitmarsh: "I know it becomes a story and there are all sorts of other spurious stories stem from it but there's no hurry for it" © Sutton Images

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McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says he isn't concerned about "spurious stories" which are the result of delays naming the team's 2014 driver line-up.

Jenson Button is widely believed to have signed a new contract to remain at McLaren - although no announcement has been made yet - but the identity of his team-mate remains unknown. The option on Sergio Perez has yet to be taken up and that has led to rumours McLaren is trying to re-sign Fernando Alonso, but Whitmarsh remains in no rush to finalise its drivers despite the inevitable reports that brings.

Asked if he was any closer to choosing a second driver, Whitmarsh replied: "Yes, I'm closer. I'm one day closer than I was yesterday and guess what? I'm going to be one day closer tomorrow!

"There's no hurry. I had said all along that let's let a few races go by and then we'll have a chat and I think that's exactly what we're going to do. There's no tearing rush at the moment to do this. I know it becomes a story and there are all sorts of other spurious stories stem from it but there's no hurry for it."

One announcement that McLaren has made is over the signing of Peter Prodromou from Red Bull, and Whitmarsh dismissed any concerns about his arrival despite Red Bull saying Prodromou is under contract until the end of 2014.

"Firstly, he has a contract, he will be working for us in the future, but currently he is employed by Red Bull. We've got to respect that, and that's why I don't think we're talking about timeframes or anything. The fact is he has a contract and he will come to McLaren."

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