Ron Dennis steps down as McLaren CEO

Ron Dennis and Richard Lapthorne at McLaren headquarters in Woking England

April 16, 2009 3:53 PM
Filed Under: F1, McLaren

Ron Dennis on Thursday announced he is ending his involvement with the formula one team McLaren.

While he will remain chairman and a 15 per cent shareholder of the McLaren Group, the 61-year-old handed over his role as chief executive to Martin Whitmarsh.

In March, Whitmarsh also took over as McLaren team boss.

It has been rumoured that Dennis' further step away from the sport is in reaction to the 'lie-gate' affair, as part of a possible deal with the FIA.

"I admit I'm not always easy to get on with. I admit I've always fought hard for McLaren in formula one," he said at the team's Woking factory.

"I doubt if Max Mosley or Bernie Ecclestone will be displeased by my decision. But no-one asked me to do it. It was my decision," Dennis insisted.

He was fronting a press conference to announce the restructuring of the McLaren Group, with the road car group to now become an independent company with Dennis in charge.

Dennis hinted that he will be happy to attend far fewer grands prix from now on, after watching the recent Malaysian grand prix on TV.

"I'd expected to be more emotional about it, after an unbroken run of attending so many grands prix for so many years," he said.

Dennis said he has "no qualms" about leaving Whitmarsh alone to handle "matters connected with formula one."

 

Source: GMM

Comments

sw1000
April 16, 2009 4:36 PM
great end to his career, won last year with Hamilton and got out before the latest scandel.

Can't wait to see the new McClaren F1

Beetle
April 16, 2009 5:32 PM
He must of been part of it somewhere.


Edited by user on April 16, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Pentium
April 17, 2009 7:55 PM
He is part of it :)hated the team cause of him lately..

jwball
April 16, 2009 4:44 PM
Just a note to worldcarfans the photo above of Ron isn't with Martin Whitmarsh. Maybe it would be worth checking out who he is before publishing. That is unless Martin has aged 15 years overnight and shrunk due to the current scandal.

Bristol411S3
April 16, 2009 5:47 PM
I was wandering if I have been thinking the wrong guy was Martin Whitmarsh for the past few years...

mn07
April 16, 2009 6:12 PM
Thats is not Martin Whitmarsh

BrianWCF
April 16, 2009 8:00 PM
Thanks, caption has been corrected.

911fnatic
April 16, 2009 6:27 PM
Nice that McLaren are going independent, looking forward to seeing an entirely McLaren.. McLaren.

mint
April 17, 2009 5:54 AM
i wonder how long lewis will last before he jumps ship

Iconic
April 17, 2009 7:43 AM
His recent comments suggest he's already got one foot out the door. I think he should stay even though his car sucks this year.

Tashinga
April 17, 2009 12:57 PM
Guess Vodafone "Mc-LIAR-ren" Mercedes really is in Turmoil after all. If Lewis does decide to leave, which Team would he go to? I wonder.

Beetle
April 17, 2009 4:09 PM
Ahh how the worm has turned for mclaren , Hamilton well who will trust him anymore? even red bull are doing well now so maybe force india he could goto?

mclaren_man
May 3, 2009 3:53 PM
Lewis needs to prove himself, lets see what he can do in a force india.

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