McLaren sponsor wants out
El Mundo Deportivo claims that the Madrid based insurance company intends to try to negotiate an exit from its binding McLaren contract so it can accompany Fernando Alonso to his new team for 2008.
The newspaper added, however, that Mutua Madrilena may be appeased by McLaren if the British team signs test veteran and Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa to be Lewis Hamilton's new teammate.
News of Mutua Madrilena's aim to leave McLaren interestingly coincides with a move in the Spanish financial world.
Another Spanish sponsor at McLaren this year was Banco Santander, which appears to be happy to stay with the team in 2008.
In a neat coincidence, it emerges that Mutua Madrilena has in the last few days sold its small stake in Santander, seemingly clearing the way for them to compete on the grand prix tracks next year.
Meanwhile, El Mundo reports that Hamilton and de la Rosa are this week training in Finland under the guidance of McLaren doctor Aki Hintsa.