Hakkinen considers McLaren advisory role

The Finn, who won his two titles with McLaren, has been recently linked with the team after visiting them at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

Dennis said Hakkinen, retired from Formula One since the 2001 season, is considering some sort of advisory position to help the team move forward.

"He showed a very keen interest in the team and the original intention of going to Brazil was to be at the last GP, see the outcome of the world championship and that almost rekindled his emotional involvement with the team," said Dennis on Friday.

"His interest in what we were doing was surprising for some people, his enthusiasm in talking to the media had me as confused as it probably did you.

"The programme in the last few weeks was one of trying to support Mika's desire to be involved and better in motorsport. What I mean by that is that he has yet to agree with Mercedes Benz whether to continue in the DTM.

"He has a very positive proposal from Mercedes, and he is keen to understand what he can and can't contribute to our programme.

"He has spent quite a few hours in our simulator. Initially that was because he wanted to see how real the experience was, how the car felt and what is was like to drive a Grand Prix car using advanced simulation technology which is what I think we have. And it will be followed up by more support."

The 38-year-old Finn recently spent some time in McLaren's race simulator, but Dennis said that had nothing to do with plans to return to Formula One racing.

McLaren confirmed on Friday that Briton Lewis Hamilton will partner Fernando Alonso at the team next season.

"As regards him being an option for McLaren to race, I think that is a somewhat hypothetical," said Dennis of the rumours linking Hakkinen with a return to F1.

"We made a commitment to Lewis quite a few weeks ago, our minds were set, and that was really a figment of someone's imagination and, as with all rumours, it was a nice rumour to have in the system.

"But as an overall statement, Mika has been a part of our family, he is keen to contribute and, on the basis of Kimi and Juan Pablo Montoya not being available and not being appropriate to the work we are doing for next year, Mika can evaluate some of the things we are developing and bringing to the car.

"It was an interesting exercise and his enthusiasm is growing, but there is no intention for him to race."