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McLaren Driver Line-Up Likely to Stay Same

Mercedes have signalled McLaren's driver line-up will stay the same next year, dampening media speculation that David Coulthard's job might be on the line.

Mercedes have signalled McLaren's driver line-up will stay the same next year, dampening media speculation that David Coulthard's job might be on the line.

"Maybe we won't surprise you at all. That's definitely the plan but a couple of things need to be sorted out," Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug told reporters before Sunday's German Formula One Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

"I personally do not expect surprises for next year.

"Whatever you read about us offering however many millions to other teams to get their drivers, forget it," added Haug, rejecting reports the Mercedes-powered team were after Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya from Williams.

"It is not correct to say that and nothing like that is going on. We are not the guys to be in breach of contract and stuff like that, that is just not right."

Haug said no announcements were expected this weekend.

"We want to be concentrated on our home Grand Prix and that's it basically," he said.

Confident Coulthard

Briton Coulthard, who has struggled in qualifying and has scored 33 points to Finnish teammate Kimi Raikkonen's 62 in 11 races, sounded confident of staying for a ninth season.

"Punches hurt, stories don't," he said. "I have always worked on the basis of what I know...and I know my contractual position. I think Norbert gave a fairly good guideline to everybody.

"So it's a question now of waiting until the team are in a position to make an announcement.

"It's not a personal attack on me," he added of the rumours. "There's no question that my weak area this year has been qualifying but my pace in terms of driving the car and race laps has absolutely been on it.

"I'm not struggling for a lap time so from that point of view, I don't believe I have any worries."

The team have waited in the past until all the pieces of the puzzle, such as reserve and test drivers, are in place before making any announcement and Haug confirmed the role of Austrian test driver Alexander Wurz remained uncertain.

The former Benetton driver wants to return to racing and came close to a deal with Jaguar in May as a replacement for Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, ousted last week in favour of Briton Justin Wilson.

"It really depends on him," said Haug. "We are in discussion with him. If he comes to us and says definitely I want to race, we would not stand in his way."

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