Formula One team McLaren has no Plan B if former world champion Lewis Hamilton decides to leave the team.

“I have not thought about it, I have no Plan B. We want Lewis Hamilton to stay,” McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is quoted as saying in the British media.

There has been ongoing speculation that Hamilton might replace seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher at Mercedes at the end of the season.

The 43-year-old German has said that he will be making a decision in October.

Hamilton evaded questions about his future ahead of last Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix, which he went on to win, but his agents are said to have already spoken to Mercedes.

Whitmarsh said that they would be having further talks with Hamilton ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix on September 23. “But it is always difficult to say in advance when two people dance together.

“We are a winning team and Lewis is a winning driver. It makes sense that we continue working together.”