There has been a lot of speculation about the relationship between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz, but I think that the answer is simple: the forthcoming McLaren MP4-12C supercar and its successors. Unlike the McLaren F1, which was dream time. the projected price of the MP4-12C will pitch it against mainstream Ferraris rather than the special models like the Enzo. Most importantly of all, it will have a McLaren engine.

Nobody would have been surprised if the new car had a Mercedes-Benz unit, it would make sense in a number of ways. It could be badged McLaren-Mercedes, like the Formula One cars. Spares would as close as your nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer. Pagani has established itself as a maker of exclusive cars not despite its use of Mercedes-Benz engines, but because buyers know they will be reliable. Finally, there is always an element of risk when using a bespoke engine; it has been the downfall of more than one manufacturer.

McLaren knows all this, and has weighed the pros and cons. It is an unadmitted ambition. but McLaren has Ferrari in its sights. As an F1 constructor, McLaren has been in the game longer than any other team except Ferrari and it has already shown its hand with the F1 supercar which in my view remains the pinnacle of road car design.

I predict that before McLaren's agreement with Mercedes-Benz comes to an end in 2015, McLaren will be making its own Formula One engines. Only then can it claim equal status with Ferrari.

There is a potential conflict of interest with Mercedes-Benz which has, in recent years, placed greater emphasis on its sporting models. There was the SLR, developed with McLaren, but Mercedes' AMG division has become ever more prominent and is set to play an even greater role in the future.

M-B's sporting models have benefited by bold and sensuous styling, in the past some looked like they had been designed using a ruler. Mercedes is going after Porsche, Audi and every maker of exotica: Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati - and McLaren. The three-pointed star has become fairly aggressive having recovered from a period when its quality took a dive.