McLaren Group Chairman Ron Dennis is expected to relenquish his ties with the McLaren Formula One team today in order to focus on the automotive section of his company.
Dennis stepped down as team principal of McLaren in Janurary handing responsibility to Martin Whitmarsh, but he retained close links with the Formula One team and was a visible presence in the garage during the Australian Grand Prix.
It is being reported that the 61-year-old will use a press conference at McLaren’s Woking headquarters otoday to clarify his role within the company.
With McLaren currently in turmoil over their disqualification from the Australain Grand Prix for lying to race stewads, some reports in the British press have suggested that Dennis’ announcment is an attempt to diffuse the row and secure the long-term commitment of his protege Lewis Hamilton, whose father Anthony has been critical of his leadership in the past.
Dennis has been a pioneering force within motorsport since he began his career forty-two years ago as a mechanic with Cooper Racing and Brabham.
He became McLaren team principal in 1981 when he merged his Formula Two ‘Project Four’ outfit with Team McLaren Ltd to form McLaren Racing.
This was to be the catalyst for colossal success over the past few decades with Dennis’ entrepreneurial and leadership skills carrying the team to seven Constructors World Championships and ten Drivers World Championships since 1980.
