McLaren has other drivers in the wings, including Test Driver GARY PAFFETT, and also LEWIS HAMILTON. Dennis said it was "highly unlikely? that Paffett or Hamilton would race: ?Their programmes are well mapped and their programmes don't include racing a Grand Prix car this season, so highly unlikely. It's more likely that Pedro will continue in the car, but we are a team who decides how the drivers are utilised and those drivers are all contracted to us and we chose to go down the path we've gone down.?
Dennis was pressed on the Montoya issue of being permitted to race in NASCAR while he is on his "leave of absence." Dennis said: "No. He is a contracted McLaren driver and it will stay that way until the end of his contract unless there is some other commercial arrangement between ourselves and the NASCAR team or Juan himself."
Sounds like "Show me the Money"
The press dogged Dennis on the subject. Dennis, when asked, said it was "more than possible" that Juan would come back to
Formula One, "with our team, possibly this year."
Dennis made it clear that McLaren wouldn't allow Montoya to do any tests because: "There is a conflict of sponsors, advertising campaigns and a whole raft of reasons why that is not a practical proposition."
Dennis got testy when asked if Montoya's contract was to the end of the season or year: "Why on earth would I want to tell you that? It is a contractual detail and all our terms are completely confidential. Obviously it exceeds the racing season.?
Earlier this week Montoya and his 2007 NASCAR team owner, CHIP GANASSI of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates, said that he couldn't say anything about a schedule for JPM to be in the Dodge Nextel Cup car "until his release is worked out." Ganassi said there are different kinds of releases, such as a Release from Driving Duties. Ganassi said it would probably be a conditional release." The release documents haven't yet been signed.
