McLaren boss Ron Dennis has dismissed rumours that his former driver, and two-time World Champion, Mika Hakkinen will return to F1.

In a week which has seen the F1 rumour-mill go into turbo-overdrive with countless claims that Jacques Villeneuve is involved in secret tests at all manner of circuits, talk of another former champion contemplating a return began to spread across the ether and into newsprint.

Just as Villeneuve is said to be lining up a test with WilliamsF1, so Mika Hakkinen has also been linked with the Grove outfit, amongst others.

Talking on Friday, several former rivals were dismissive of the talk, though Michael Schumacher believes the Finn would still make a mighty foe.

However, former boss Ron Dennis believes the story is the work of an over-productive imagination.

"I don't know if there has been some dialogue," said Dennis at the Nurburgring, referring to the WilliamsF1 rumour. "He talks about most things with me, and of course I am very aware of all the reasons why he chose to retire. I can't see that those reasons still don't exist."

Norbert Haug, Mercedes' Motorsport boss was equally sceptical: "I certainly think if Mika has plans to come back then he will discuss it with us and it has not happened so far," said the German. "We are in contact, we are good friends and we will be the first people, and particularly Ron, that he would talk to."