 Paffett has tested well for McLaren |
British duo Lewis Hamilton and Gary Paffett are leading the race to partner Fernando Alonso at McLaren next year after the exit of Juan Pablo Montoya. Kimi Raikkonen is set to leave and Paffett and Hamilton, both McLaren test drivers, are thought more likely 2006 racers than stand-in Pedro de la Rosa.
Team boss Martin Whitmarsh said McLaren would probably recruit from within.
"We have some very good talent in the family. We will work with that and make the best decision," he said.
"In this business anything is possible, but I think we are not looking actively outside of the family, so to speak."
De la Rosa, 35, is currently racing as a stand-in for Montoya, who has been dropped after announcing his Nascar move for 2007.
But his racing career lost momentum several seasons ago and, with Alonso due to arrive, McLaren are unlikely to want two Spaniards for commercial reasons.
Paffett is the reigning German Touring Car (DTM) champion and could even get his race chance this year after proving his abilities in testing for McLaren.
Hamilton is set to concentrate on his GP2 career, a Formula One feeder series, until that season ends in September.
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