Eric Boullier, who has been heavy linked the role of McLaren team principal, will attend the constructor's first test in Jerez, according to a report.
The Frenchman stepped down as boss of Lotus on Friday, with the owner of the Enstone-based outfit, Gerard Lopez, assuming duties on the pit wall.
However, F1Today.net reports that McLaren sources have confirmed Boullier will be in Spain on Friday with the team, while current principal Martin Whitmarsh is believed to be departing.
Meanwhile, Auto Motor und Sport claims that both the Woking-based team and Lotus are competing with each other to secure a major sponsorship deal with a "Japanese technology company", although the publication does not reveal the identity of the organisation in question.
The season-opening Australian Grand Prix takes place on March 16.
