McLaren dismisses rumours about F1 engine link-up with PURE

The Woking-based team has been the subject of rumours for months that it could opt to change engine partners when Formula 1 switches to V6-turbo power-units from 2014.

Although the team said last November that it was fully focused on ensuring future success with Mercedes-Benz, amid rumours linking it with Honda at the time, that has not stopped a number of reports in recent days suggesting that Pure is now being considered.

Pollock, who was best known as Jacques Villeneuve's manager, has set up a new engine company to provide customer engines from the start of 2014 and is currently on the look-out for teams to join up with.

McLaren has made it clear, however, that there were no negotiations with Pure - and suggested that the option was not going to be pursued.

"McLaren has had absolutely no contact with PURE for many months," said a McLaren spokesman. "Moreover, the contact we did have with PURE, many months ago, was of an entirely informal nature, and was merely a courtesy gesture."

Last November, McLaren's managing director Jonathan Neale had to dismiss reports that the outfit was trying to lure Honda back into F1.

"That is all wide of the mark," said Neale about the Honda speculation. "We are very happy with and enjoying our partnership with Mercedes-Benz. We are not quite sure where that story came from in truth.

"But I can stop the rumour and say that we are entirely focused on our Mercedes-Benz relationship. It is a long one spanning many wins and championships and long may it continue."

McLaren's current engine deal is understood to run until the end of 2015.