McLaren expect Fernando Alonso to switch from Renault to Ferrari next season and trigger a series of driver moves, team boss Martin Whitmarsh said.

Asked about his own team's 2010 line-up, Whitmarsh made it clear at the European Grand Prix that McLaren were prepared to bide their time.

"At the moment we have not had, nor are we in, conversations with any other drivers and we will see in the future. In reality, there are some changes probably with Fernando and Ferrari and that frees up the driver market," he told the BBC.

"Every year there are a number of pivotal points during the season which determine what is going to happen in the drivers' market.

"This year I think we all know that the Fernando-Ferrari move has a knock on and that ripples through the other teams," added Whitmarsh of his team's former driver.

"Clearly the BMW withdrawal will also have an impact.

"So, I don't think we see a need at the moment to rush into it. I think we are concentrating on developing the car and making sure we are more competitive, which I think we will be this weekend."

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