Aug.7 (GMM) A McLaren spokesman on Thursday denied reports that team boss Ron Dennis wants to retire with a title at the end of 2008.

Dennis, the Mercedes-powered team's 61-year-old chief, was quoted this week by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "If I do step back, I would want to do that with a title."

The magazine claims the Briton, who began working as a mechanic in formula one as a teenager in the 1960s, is so desperate to return the silverware to Woking that the team is still flat-out on the 2008 car, rather than switching its focus to the sweeping rules changes for next year.

The team spokesman said Auto Motor und Sport's article was "based around a very old quote".

"Ron has made it clear on numerous occasions that he has made no decision as to if and when he may or may not step aside.

"Ron's, and the team's, focus remains on winning every grand prix we start -- and that applies to this season, next season, the season after that, and so on," he continued.

"As a result, we are maintaining development of our 2009 car at undiminished levels, while continually improving our 2008 car, race by race, test by test, in the normal way."