McLaren to Decide on Driver Line-Up this Month

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis said on Saturday that he expects to make an announcement on the team's drivers for next season later this month.

Dennis said that McLaren are "certain" to make a decision in July over which two drivers will be confirmed for 2003 after constant media speculation in recent weeks.

Mika Hakkinen is currently on a one-year sabbatical from the sport and McLaren have delayed a decision until he decides his future. David Coulthard has been linked with a move to Toyota if Hakkinen does return.

But Dennis said that a decision over which two of Coulthard, Hakkinen and Kimi Raikkonen will drive next year will be made at some stage this month.

"The problem is that if I answer that, it will be followed up by another [question] and another," Dennis said when asked if Coulthard would remain with the team next year.

"We're working on a variety of what we believe are significant decisions for the team. We're trying to decide what we're going to do [next year] and how we're going to do it. But we're certain to announce it in July - I'm not quite sure of the exact timing, but certainly in July it will be confirmed."

Reports in the Italian press on Saturday claimed that Brazilian Indy Racing League driver Helio Castroneves was being lined up to replace Coulthard next year, but Dennis rubbished the suggestions.

"I can think of a few humourous answers to that," he said when told of the report. "But I'll just say that there is absolutely no basis to that story. I can't even spell his name."