January presentation for McLaren

The 2006 season is not quite over but McLaren is quick off the mark for next year and has announced that the presentation of its 2007 image will take place at Valencia from January 14th to 16th. The team will have new title sponsor Vodafone on board and has already confirmed 2005 world champion Fernando Alonso as one of its racers.

Alonso may yet carry the No.1 over to McLaren if he clinches the title in Brazil this coming weekend; the Spaniard needs just one point to retain his crown, regardless of what rival Michael Schumacher does. Meanwhile, McLaren has yet to confirm who will replace the Ferrari-bound Kimi Raikkonen next year.

Pedro de la Rosa has been in the second race seat since the departure of Juan Pablo Montoya back in July and there has been much talk about GP2 champion Lewis Hamilton. It was speculated that McLaren might try out Hamilton in Brazil after he tested at Jerez recently but de la Rosa will race at Interlagos.

It appears that those two are the most likely candidates for the vacant cockpit, and there's also second team tester and 2005 DTM champ Gary Paffett, but there's always the chance that McLaren will look elsewhere. However, there's little choice in the way of proven talent available so it would seem that a name from within the ranks is the best bet.