Jan.16 (GMM) Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday would not confirm reports that it is poised to take a majority stake in the McLaren team.

Auto Motor und Sport claimed that that the Stuttgart manufacturer has been positioning for the takeover since October 2007, and has now agreed a shareholding arrangement and price with the McLaren Group.

Official confirmation is reportedly due before the start of the 2008 season in March.

But the British news agency Reuters quotes a spokesman as saying: "The status quo has not changed at all.

"Daimler still holds 40 percent of the McLaren Group. We ask for your understanding that we will not comment on speculation beyond this."

Mercedes paid an estimated $400 million for its 40 per cent stake in 1999.