It is understood Jost Capito will start work at McLaren at the end of August.

Capito was actually signed up by the Woking team to be its new chief executive in January, but he said he would only leave his role as VW's racing chief once a successor is appointed.

German Capito, 57, is in Monaco this weekend, triggering speculation he might now be ready to start work.

But team boss Eric Boullier said: "I don't know when exactly he will officially take up his duties.

"But in my view everything is simple. Ron Dennis has the highest position in the McLaren Technology Group. I am race director at all of the races.

"But McLaren Racing has more than 600 employees, and with 20-21 races each year then I'm away from them for about four months of the year. As a race team we have 80 people but more than 500 are at the factory and need to be managed," Boullier added.

"Therefore responsibilities are divided between me and Jost Capito, who will also be responsible for the development strategy of McLaren Racing," he said.

(GMM)