TJ
16-04-2009, 10:43 PM
Didnt see this anywhere here yet.
Ron Dennis has confirmed that he is stepping down from his remaining roles with McLaren's Formula 1 team to head the company's newly independent McLaren Automotive arm.
As widely predicted in the media today, Dennis made the announcement that he was cutting ties with the F1 squad he ran for nearly three decades during a press conference at the company's Woking headquarters.
His departure comes amid the continuing storm over the team's actions in the stewards' hearings in Australia and Malaysia, for which McLaren must appear before the FIA World Motor Sport Council on 29 March.
Dennis stood down as McLaren team boss at the start of the season, handing over the reins to long-time deputy Martin Whitmarsh, but in his continuing role as McLaren Group chairman had attended the Australian Grand Prix.
"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," said Dennis.
"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."
Dennis insisted that stepping down from the F1 team had been his own decision and that he had not been pushed out as a result of McLaren's current crisis.
"I admit I’m not always easy to get on with," he said.
"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.”
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=45563
Sad sad day when a man who has dedicated his life to the sport decides to walk away.
No matter who you support, you have to see he has done an immense amount for the sport.
Ron Dennis has confirmed that he is stepping down from his remaining roles with McLaren's Formula 1 team to head the company's newly independent McLaren Automotive arm.
As widely predicted in the media today, Dennis made the announcement that he was cutting ties with the F1 squad he ran for nearly three decades during a press conference at the company's Woking headquarters.
His departure comes amid the continuing storm over the team's actions in the stewards' hearings in Australia and Malaysia, for which McLaren must appear before the FIA World Motor Sport Council on 29 March.
Dennis stood down as McLaren team boss at the start of the season, handing over the reins to long-time deputy Martin Whitmarsh, but in his continuing role as McLaren Group chairman had attended the Australian Grand Prix.
"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," said Dennis.
"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."
Dennis insisted that stepping down from the F1 team had been his own decision and that he had not been pushed out as a result of McLaren's current crisis.
"I admit I’m not always easy to get on with," he said.
"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.”
http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?id=45563
Sad sad day when a man who has dedicated his life to the sport decides to walk away.
No matter who you support, you have to see he has done an immense amount for the sport.