Dennis has 'full support' from Mercedes

Speculation has been rife in recent weeks about Dennis's future, as the 60-year-old is believed to be increasingly keen to step aside from his role as head of the F1 team.

The rumours also suggested there was pressure from engine partners Mercedes, who own 40 percent of the Formula One team, for Dennis to step aside.

But Haug has insisted Dennis has the full backing of Mercedes and praised the Briton's input in the team.

"I'm now in my 14th year of working with Ron, and during this time only one other team has been more successful than ours has ," Haug told Bild magazine. "As team boss, Ron has played an immense part in achieving that success.

"Any negative statements appearing in the media are mere speculation and originate outside the company. We stand by Ron and are continuing to work with the same management structure."

Haug admitted there were always ongoing talks about the possibility of buying a majority stake in the team.

"Options for the future development of the company are under discussion all the time," Haug added. "But it's clear that we don't need to own more than 50% of the shares in order to ensure that we're listened to as much as we want to be."

McLaren has been surrounded by controversy since last year's spying affair, which cost the team all their constructors' points and a record $100 million fine.

Haug believes the negative reports will stop as soon as the team start the 2008 season.

"Hopefully in around two weeks' time after the first race, he said. "We've conducted extensive testing and our cars have proved reliable and fast. Whether they're fast enough we won't know until after the Australian GP."