Martin Whitmarsh on Friday morning admitted that it is common paddock knowledge that Fernando Alonso is moving to Ferrari next season.
The McLaren boss, who worked with the Spanish driver during his ill-fated single season with the British team in 2007, told BBC Five Live at Valencia that the move is set to shake up the 2010 driver market.
Whitmarsh indicated earlier that McLaren's next driver line-up has not yet been decided, but Heikki Kovalainen responded by insisting he is "not concerned about rumours and speculation".
"We all know that Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari will have a ripple effect on other teams," said Whitmarsh. "It opens up the driver market.
"We are not in talks with any other drivers at the moment, but are obliged to have the most competitive cars and drivers that we can," the Briton added.
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