McLaren also marketed its technical package to Team Lotus, boss Tony Fernandes has revealed.
It emerged recently that the struggling Virgin team has partnered with the famous British marque for the 2012 season, with the deal to include access to the McLaren wind tunnel, staff, test rigs and driver simulator.
"The McLaren package was offered to us several times in the last year," Fernandes is quoted by Finland’s Turun Sanomat. "For us however we prefer (to pair with) Red Bull because both our teams have the Renault engine."
Team Lotus already uses Red Bull’s gearbox and hydraulics, and the 2012 Lotus will feature Red Bull’s KERS system.
Team driver Heikki Kovalainen however thinks Virgin will benefit from its new McLaren tie-up.
"I don’t know whether it is the same package that was offered to Lotus, but it is obvious that if it does not improve their (Virgin’s) pace, they have a very big problem," he said.