Force India are reportedly talking to McLaren about a link-up for the 2009 F1 season.
Teams in talks, report says
Force India are reportedly in talks with McLaren-Mercedes about a deal which would see the Constructors' Championship leaders providing them with engines and technical support next season.
According to
autosport.com, discussions having been ongoing between the two parties, with the backmarker outfit in return running British driver Paul di Resta, a protégé of the McLaren team.
The 22-year-old Scot currently races for Mercedes in the German DTM series.
"McLaren and Mercedes-Benz are convinced that the independent teams are of vital importance for F1 - in fact they are the bedrock on which grand prix racing has been built," a McLaren spokesman said.
"Therefore, should we be in a position to co-operate with an independent team and should such a co-operation make economic sense, we would be prepared to do so.
"Nothing has been decided yet, but we are engaged in various discussions and will inform the media of their outcome as soon as we are able to do so.
"We are also in discussions with, and seeking the guidance of, FIA President Max Mosley in connection with the matter."