McLaren boss Ron Dennis has said that Lewis Hamilton is heading to Formula One, though the Englishman refused to say whether it might be next season.

"He will be in Formula One, there's no question of that," Dennis told Reuters in Monaco. "And I'll be delighted to see him succeed because it was more an experiment than an investment."

Hamilton, who is currently second in the GP2 Series - Formula One's 'feeder' series - and starts today's race from pole position, has been supported by Dennis and his team since the youngster first approached him over a decade ago.

"He was so confident," said Dennis. "I was just in total admiration. I was just pathetic at that age and he had absolute perfect eye contact. I thought this youngster could possibly go somewhere."

Helped, no doubt, by Jenson Button's failure to make it to the top step of the Formula One podium, the British media is now focussing on Hamilton, hence the often frenzied speculation over whether he will make his F1 debut next season.

"We've mapped out his year," Dennis admitted, "he's going to concentrate on GP2 and we're not going to get distracted from that. As and when I feel it is appropriate, we'll give him the opportunity to test and really settle in to driving a Formula One car. Then, according to how that works out, we'll decide together the next best step."

With Fernando Alonso confirmed for one seat next season there is fierce speculation as to who will fill the second. Dennis was not about to bring an end to the guessing game, not that he probably really knows who will partner the Spaniard, since the annual game of 'musical chairs' - this year involving as many as 14 drivers - is down to one man... Michael Schumacher.

"Obviously our own driver line-up is still open in respect of one of the two seats," said Dennis. "Many people ask is there any possibility of him (Hamilton) driving? Well, it's not impossible but it's just one of the options.

"We don't know whether either of the drivers will stay with us or go," he added, referring to current incumbents Raikkonen and Montoya, "it's just too early in the season to make those sort of decisions. When we have to take a decision, we will."