Buzzin F1 – Formula One Blog

Ron Dennis

Ron Dennis today handed over the remaining responsibilities with the McLaren Formula One team to Martin Whitmarsh so he can concentrate solely on the McLaren Automotive company.

The 61-year-old announced in January that he would be stepping down from his role as team boss after beginning his career in Formula One at the age of 18.

A press conference was held this morning at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking with Dennis announcing the major reconstruction within the McLaren group.

Dennis said,

“I passed the role of Team Principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes to Martin Whitmarsh on January 16th, the day of the launch of our new Formula 1 car. That day I was asked many times whether I would attend the 2009 Australian Grand Prix. My answer was “yes”. I duly attended it – albeit not as the person in charge of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It was, I admit, a strange feeling.

“The next race, the Malaysian Grand Prix, I watched on TV in the UK – an activity I found surprisingly easy. I’d expected to be more emotional about it, after an unbroken run of attending so many grands prix for so many years.

“I admit I’m not always easy to get on with. I admit I’ve always fought hard for McLaren in Formula 1. 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.

“Equally, I was the architect of today’s restructure of the McLaren Group. Again, no-one asked me to do it. It was my decision.

“I feel enormously enthused about the prospects for the McLaren Group and for McLaren Automotive, and have no qualms about leaving Martin to report to the board regarding matters connected with Formula 1.”

For more than two-years McLaren have been working on a programme to develop a range of McLaren sports cars, the first of which is to be launched in 2011.  One of the McLaren companies within the group, the McLaren Automotive, will later this year become an independent group with Ron Dennis as it’s Executive Chairman.