Hamilton contract talks to speed up after Monza win

MONZA, Italy (REUTERS) - McLaren have no "Plan B"in place should Lewis Hamilton decide to leave the team at the end of the season and will speed up contract negotiations in the next few days to try to make sure he stays.

Speaking to reporters after Hamilton won Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, team principal Martin Whitmarsh dismissed as "fantasy" speculation that the 2008 champion was close to agreeing a deal with Mercedes.

"I haven't given Plan B any thought," he said when asked about an alternative strategy should Hamilton decide to go. "We want Lewis to stay and we want him to stay if he wants to stay." Briton Hamilton, who media reports say wants more money as well as control of his brand, showed on Sunday why he is one of the hottest properties in Formula One while McLaren made a compelling case for him remaining with them.

The victory at Ferrari's home circuit was McLaren's third in a row from pole position, something no other team has managed this season, and came after a record 62nd front row sweep in qualifying.