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[deMuRe]

I don't like Ron Dennis at all, however I'm big enough to admit McLaren would be nowhere without him.

If he left McLaren it would be the end of the team, I can't see anybody else having the required attention to detail you need to stay competative.

Yes he's a knob, yes when he talks you think you are reading output from a computer, but his passion for his team and his ability to produce fast motor cars is unquestionable...

[Gaz]

I don't like Ron Dennis at all, however I'm big enough to admit McLaren would be nowhere without him.

If he left McLaren it would be the end of the team, I can't see anybody else having the required attention to detail you need to stay competative.

Yes he's a knob, yes when he talks you think you are reading output from a computer, but his passion for his team and his ability to produce fast motor cars is unquestionable...

Martin Whitmarsh

Thanks.

[McLaren Fan]

I have never liked Ron Dennis. And the crap he used to say about Ferrari when Ferrari were crap. I don't know if the Italian media exaggerated most of the stuff, but I simply grew up not liking the man and to this day I wish he would just leave F1 altogether.

I think you've been conned by the Italian media and various other things. Ron Dennis didn't say Ferrari are 'crap'. In fact, Dennis doesn't give a toss what Ferrari do. He's got his own Formula One team and businesses to run, and has done a very, very good job of it. Go to hell, AKR.

[KyrosV]

too bad he sacrifised the constructors championship for Lewis Hamilton this year..

[McLaren Fan]

too bad he sacrifised the constructors championship for Lewis Hamilton this year..

How did he do that, <EDITED FOR CONTENT>?

Be nice and don't use that kind of language, alright? DD

[scotty]

too bad he sacrifised the constructors championship for Lewis Hamilton this year..

How did he do that, asshole?

Getting rid of a world class driver for an average one

[McLaren Fan]

Kovalainen has underperformed; that's not Dennis' fault. I just laugh anyway, for if Renault were to remain in Formula One for the next two hundred years, they'd still never match the personal achievements of Ron Dennis.

[KyrosV]

Kovalainen has underperformed; that's not Dennis' fault. I just laugh anyway, for if Renault were to remain in Formula One for the two hundred years, they'd still never match the personal achievements of Ron Dennis.

ouch! was that a dig?

Ron Dennis only achieved when he had big financial backing from Honda or Mercedes, but without, he was left flaundering. I would Say Sir Frank Williams is the greatest team boss in F1. His achievments have been far greater than Rons or anyones.

[McLaren Fan]

Ron Dennis only achieved when he had big financial backing from Honda or Mercedes, but without, he was left flaundering.

What are you talking about? Honda were only supplying engines to McLaren. The team paid for these engines. Mercedes are shareholders in McLaren, but still only provide engines for the cars. The only reason McLaren had a lull in form the mid-1990s was because the team couldn't secure a decent engine. Some of the chassis McLaren built in that period were great (notably the MP4-8). When McLaren did secure a good engine provider, it took a couple of years for they and the team to make up lost ground. The team were not floundering, but was merely getting back on track.

[Denthúl]

Kovalainen has underperformed; that's not Dennis' fault. I just laugh anyway, for if Renault were to remain in Formula One for the next two hundred years, they'd still never match the personal achievements of Ron Dennis.

You know? That comment is pretty much as bad as the stuff that AKR comes out with about how Ferrari are so great and how Dennis and McLaren are nothing. Well done!

Seriously, why is everyone being like this of late? One of the reasons I can not follow football at any level other than local teams is because of their fans. Lately, Formula One fans have started following the same route. It's quite saddening, really.

[8-ball]

I don't like Ron Dennis at all, however I'm big enough to admit McLaren would be nowhere without him.

If he left McLaren it would be the end of the team, I can't see anybody else having the required attention to detail you need to stay competative.

Yes he's a knob, yes when he talks you think you are reading output from a computer, but his passion for his team and his ability to produce fast motor cars is unquestionable...

Martin Whitmarsh

Thanks.

Martin Whitmarsh would be a perfectly good successor to Ron Dennis. He has been his number two for years and so it means a smooth transition for the team. However now that I have had a chance to think about it I think Ron has earned the right to go whenever he feels like it. I personally think the team would be able to function just fine if he stepped down so this talk that "he is the heart and soul of Mclaren" is nonsense. So if Ron wants to go for another year I say let him, it doesn't make a difference to anyone outside the team

[8-ball]

Kovalainen has underperformed; that's not Dennis' fault. I just laugh anyway, for if Renault were to remain in Formula One for the next two hundred years, they'd still never match the personal achievements of Ron Dennis.

You know? That comment is pretty much as bad as the stuff that AKR comes out with about how Ferrari are so great and how Dennis and McLaren are nothing. Well done!

AKR has got to them. It's called divide and conquer

[Denthúl]

I don't like Ron Dennis at all, however I'm big enough to admit McLaren would be nowhere without him.

If he left McLaren it would be the end of the team, I can't see anybody else having the required attention to detail you need to stay competative.

Yes he's a knob, yes when he talks you think you are reading output from a computer, but his passion for his team and his ability to produce fast motor cars is unquestionable...

Martin Whitmarsh

Thanks.

Martin Whitmarsh would be a perfectly good successor to Ron Dennis. He has been his number two for years and so it means a smooth transition for the team. However now that I have had a chance to think about it I think Ron has earned the right to go whenever he feels like it. I personally think the team would be able to function just fine if he stepped down so this talk that "he is the heart and soul of Mclaren" is nonsense. So if Ron wants to go for another year I say let him, it doesn't make a difference to anyone outside the team

I completely agree on all counts.

People like Ron Dennis and Frank Williams have achieved a great deal in Formula 1 and, even though we perhaps don't actually hear of their achievements as much as those of the drivers, they've still contributed massive amounts to the sport and it will be sad when either of them retire.

[McLaren Fan]

Kovalainen has underperformed; that's not Dennis' fault. I just laugh anyway, for if Renault were to remain in Formula One for the next two hundred years, they'd still never match the personal achievements of Ron Dennis.

You know? That comment is pretty much as bad as the stuff that AKR comes out with about how Ferrari are so great and how Dennis and McLaren are nothing. Well done!

Well, it's true, even though I was not referring directly to McLaren. The fact is McLaren are a great team with a wonderful history, founded by the legendary Bruce McLaren. Had he not been killed in 1970, the team would have had a road car business going etc.. Sadly, his plans for his team died with him. Renault, on the other hand, jumped back into Formula One for publicity purposes.

Dealing with Ron Dennis more specifically, he started off from the bottom as a mechanic, going through all the junior formulae before moving on to Formula One. In every category in which his cars raced, they were successful and his teams contributed a lot to the series. His track record in Formula One speaks for itself. Anybody who can boast to having oversaw more Grands Prix victories than Enzo Ferrari, Sir Frank Williams and Colin Chapman has a hell of a lot to proud of.

[McLaren Fan]

Martin Whitmarsh would be a perfectly good successor to Ron Dennis. He has been his number two for years and so it means a smooth transition for the team. However now that I have had a chance to think about it I think Ron has earned the right to go whenever he feels like it. I personally think the team would be able to function just fine if he stepped down so this talk that "he is the heart and soul of Mclaren" is nonsense. So if Ron wants to go for another year I say let him, it doesn't make a difference to anyone outside the team

As you know, Ron Dennis was planning to step down at the end of 2007, and would have do so had that awful series of events not unfolded. Personally, I think he's making the right decision. If I were in Formula One, I would not let that evil bar steward Mosley force me out, and nor would I wish to leave under such a cloud if I had such a great career.