> McLaren: No Hakkinen race return

McLaren has denied speculation that it is considering drafting in former double world champion Mika Hakkinen to partner new recruit Fernando Alonso in its 2007 race line-up.

The 38-year-old retired from Formula 1 in 2001 after nine seasons at Woking and although he has since returned to competitive racing in the German DTM series with Mercedes, his chances of an F1 comeback seemed over for good after talks with Williams for a 2005 drive failed to see him return to the grid.

But the Finn’s appearance at the final round of the season in Brazil last month sparked paddock speculation that he could possibily fill the still-vacant second seat at McLaren alongside the world champion next year.

Hakkinen was seen playing close attention to all of the team's proceedings at Interlagos, watching every session from the garage or pit wall and listening in on team debriefs.

McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh ruled out the possibility of Hakkinen making a sensational race return for 2007.

But he revealed that the Finn had visited the team's Woking factory after the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"Mika has been in the simulator and following his visit to Brazil wished to understand if he could contribute to our programme," he told the Guardian newspaper.

"We currently have no plans to run Mika alongside Alonso next year.

“The identity of our second driver will be announced in due course."

GP2 champion Lewis Hamilton is still favourite to partner Alonso next year, but the team is weighing up whether to promote him or allow him to find his feet in a full time test role.