McLaren is not in a hurry to replace Alonso

The McLaren team is apparently not in a hurry to designate their second driver for the 2008 season, knowing that the seat vacated by Fernando Alonso is in high demand.

Alonso and McLaren parted ways by mutual agreement on Friday after a difficult season. The double world champion has not yet revealed his intentions for next season, while his former teammate Lewis Hamilton said he would like to see his team choose a team driver.

« I have no clue about the identity of this new driver, I can’t guess. I think Nick Heidfeld has already signed with BMW, so I rather believe in Nico Rosberg, Adrian Sutil, or Heikki Kovalainen, » stated Hamilton.

« I think they are all fantastic drivers, and I know that all have real. If I could choose, honestly I don’t know who I would choose. We need a team driver. »

But Martin Whitmarsh, CEO of McLaren, responded by stating that his team will not consider any driver who is not free to negotiate with McLaren and insisted that they are not in a hurry to make a decision for 2008.

« In truth, I think we are rather dictated by this game of transfers in the driver market at the moment. Until the announcement of the second McLaren driver, I don’t think you will hear much about us, so we are not really in a hurry, » Whitmarsh said in the columns of the Guardian.

« Obviously, there are drivers whom we have approached and who were ultimately hired elsewhere. We cannot talk to them unless they can prove they are free to negotiate. »

According to the newspaper, former Toyota driver Ralf Schumacher was among those who expressed interest in the position at McLaren, but the German was reportedly informed that he was not on the shortlist.