Jul.15 (GMM) McLaren looks likely to retain its Santander sponsorship beyond the 2009 season, notwithstanding widespread reports that the Spanish bank wants to switch with Fernando Alonso to Ferrari.

It has now emerged that McLaren in 2010 and beyond will probably run with Abbey branding, which is Santander's UK subsidiary.

Santander began sponsoring McLaren last year, coinciding with Spaniard Alonso's ultimately ill-fated tenure with the Mercedes-powered outfit.

The latest rumour is that while the Santander branding is expected to switch to Ferrari in 2010, the Spanish company may want to continue to benefit from the huge interest generated by Lewis Hamilton's role at McLaren.

Indeed, at the recent British grand prix at Silverstone, title sponsor Santander ran joint Santander-Abbey signage on its trackside advertising.