Ferrari denies making Newey bid

According to German newspaper reports, Ferrari had made an offer worth £7.5m in an attempt to recruit one of F1's top designers.

Ferrari rejected the story, but Newey was unable to deny he had received an approach.

'I get various offers from various people, but that doesn't mean to say I'm about to leave McLaren,' he said.

'It's a good team, besides which I have a contract.

'Contracts are enforcements, but the main thing is to enjoy working for a team, and I do at McLaren.'

Newey is in the middle of a three-year contract - believed to be worth £2m a year - and has an option for a further two years.

It was claimed Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo had approached Newey behind the back of his current technical director Ross Brawn.

The Italian dismissed the claims as 'absolute fantasy.'

'The gossip which has been circulating is false and destabilising,' he added.

'I cannot do anything other that manifest my total faith and support to every single member of our team.'