Jan.16 (GMM) McLaren's engine and equity partner Mercedes-Benz has finally decided to take a majority stake in the British team, a specialist magazine reports.

Auto Motor und Sport, the respected German publication, claims that the Stuttgart manufacturer is now poised to take over the team from Ron Dennis, who has run the team from headquarters in Woking (UK) since the early 80s.

The magazine claims that Mercedes-Benz 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.