By alley - Sep 21, 2016, 2:31 PM ET

F1: McLaren denies rumors of talks with Apple

McLaren has denied a report technology giant Apple is in talks over a potential investment in the company.

Britain's Financial Times claims Apple has started negotiations with the McLaren Technology Group

over what has been described as either a strategic investment or full takeover. The McLaren Technology Group comprises three separate components – the Formula 1 team (McLaren Racing), McLaren Automotive that manufactures its range of range of race- and road-going supercars – and McLaren Applied Technologies, involved in electronics expertise.

When contacted about the Apple reports, a McLaren spokesperson said: "We can confirm McLaren is not in discussion with Apple in respect of any potential investment.

"As you would expect, the nature of our brand means we regularly have confidential conversations with a wide range of parties, but we keep them confidential."

Apple is understood to have been looking at the manufacture of a self-driving electric car for some time, although the project is believed to have tailed off of late.

The suggestion is Apple is instead now more focused on the development of the system behind such a car, rather than manufacturing the car itself. That is where the Applied Technologies arm of the McLaren Technology Group would serve a purpose.

Originally on Autosport.com