McLaren say they are moving closer to a deal with Prodrive, scheduled to become Formula One's 12th team next year, but there is still a way to go.
"The Prodrive project is moving gently forward," McLaren team boss Ron Dennis told reporters at the Turkish Grand Prix.
"Any announcement on that really has to come from that organisation but we are working towards a positive result," he added.
"But it's not there yet and it wouldn't be for us to announce that even if it was." Prodrive, run by former Benetton and BAR team boss David Richards, intend to take advantage of rule changes in 2008 allowing them to compete with a car built by another constructor. Richards recently told the Times newspaper that Mercedes-powered McLaren, the championship leaders, were the most likely of three possible options. The plan would effectively create a McLaren 'B' team.
"We will not be able to make an announcement until next month but talks are progressing very well and we will be on the Formula One grid in 2008," Richards said.
"The Prodrive project is moving gently forward," McLaren team boss Ron Dennis told reporters at the Turkish Grand Prix.
"Any announcement on that really has to come from that organisation but we are working towards a positive result," he added.
"But it's not there yet and it wouldn't be for us to announce that even if it was." Prodrive, run by former Benetton and BAR team boss David Richards, intend to take advantage of rule changes in 2008 allowing them to compete with a car built by another constructor. Richards recently told the Times newspaper that Mercedes-powered McLaren, the championship leaders, were the most likely of three possible options. The plan would effectively create a McLaren 'B' team.
"We will not be able to make an announcement until next month but talks are progressing very well and we will be on the Formula One grid in 2008," Richards said.