A McLaren spokesman has dismissed a media report that Gerhard Berger is to "replace" Ron Dennis at the helm of McLaren.

For some reason, certain sections of the media appear to 'have it in' for the Woking outfit, using almost every excuse to take a swipe at the team.

While the announcement of Hugo Boss partnering with Mercedes was turned, by some, into another negative story about McLaren, today sees what some might describe as another attempt to destabilise the team.

According to Auto Bild, Ron Dennis is under "increasing pressure" from its Bahraini investors and consequently Dennis needs to find new investors.

The preferred choice as "partner and team boss", we are told, is Grand Prix winner, and former McLaren driver, Gerhard Berger.

Berger, who was previously Competitions Director at BMW, overseeing the company's return to F1 in 2000, subsequently acquired a 50% stake in Toro Rosso which he ultimately sold to Dietrich Mateschitz who had previously bought into the Italian team with the Austrian as well as a 50% stake in Berger Logistik, the road haulage company founded by Berger's father Johann.

Asked for a comment on the claim, which has already been dismissed by Berger, a McLaren spokesman said: "This is complete and utter nonsense."

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Chris Balfe