Dennis: I can handle Kimi's indiscretions.

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has attempted to play down latest rumours that the team's driver, Kimi Raikkonen, has again over-indulged alcoholically.

The Finn was first alleged to have erred on holiday in the Canary Islands, although all concerned played down stories surrounding the 'incident', but Raikkonen's name cropped up again on the eve of the team's new car test after he was reported to have been ejected from a London nightclub after a night on the booze.

Neither Dennis nor McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh were happy with the stories or, if true, the behaviour of their driver, but insisted that the matter would be dealt with in private and would not be dragged through the media.

"Clearly, it would be easier for me if I didn't have to deal with these issues, but they are issues which I am fully capable of handling," Dennis told Reuters reporters during the team's media day for the roll-out of the MP4-20 in Barcelona, "However, I will handle them within the team."

Whitmarsh explained that Raikkonen would be spoken to about the matter, which had potential side effects for a team that pays special attention to the image it portrays to sponsors.

"We've got a whole range of multi-national brands that are associated with our team, and they don't invest in Formula One for this sort of imagery," Whitmarsh said, "We'll take whatever steps to ensure that Kimi understands the seriousness of the situation.

"I think perhaps there was a touch of naivet? about what happened here, and he's learning that, as a reputation starts to develop, you've got to be ultra-sensitive about having fun in a public place. Even if [the reports] are not entirely true, the perception is extremely negative and that's something that we have to take seriously."

Ironically, McLaren is alleged to have secured a deal for whisky brand Johnnie Walker to replace tobacco brand West on the MP4-20 this season.