McLaren Yet to Decide on Title Sponsor

West's long association with McLaren ended at this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, prior to the European Union ban on tobacco advertising, and Dennis said the team were undecided on whether it would have another title backer before the start of 2006.

"Will we run a title sponsor on the car during the course of this season? It is impossible for me to say," said Dennis at the Hungaroring. "If I had to balance everything I know, it has the attraction for additional exposure for our title sponsor next year but it also sends a bit of a confused message into the system.

"It would be difficult to do during the season, you would have to look at the uniforms, colouration of vehicles, the marketing strategies and so on, whereas we are in the position where we have six months plus to prepare.

"We would prefer to launch our title sponsorship prior to the first Grand Prix but not during the course of the season. But it is still under consideration."

McLaren officially unveiled a major sponsorship deal with whisky brand Johnnie Walker in Hungary, but it has been made clear it is not the team's new title sponsor.