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[FerrariFan63]

Ron Dennis has hinted that his role inside McLaren will change. He's likely to become more involved in overseeing a production car project, and less involved in the F1 side of things. Though, he said that he will still be at the races.

His hints seem a bit strange in that he mentions concentrating solely on F1 as being a potential problem.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/71986

[Rorschach]

Whitmarsh gets the keys then.

[FerrariFan63]

I think his comments about the long term survival of McLaren are more interesting. Does he have concerns about McLaren in particular, F1 in general, or both. It could be that he's concerned that McLaren, as the kind of organisation it is now, may not remain feasible. Particularly if Max and/or his successors want to considerably downscale F1. As in standardised engines. Wasn't Frank Williams once told that his business model was obsolete?

[bud]

he is probably concerned that in the case of a Mercedes buy out the McLaren name will be lost.

[Gaz]

Ron's done a great Job over the years but Martin is defo a great replacment.

[f1maniac95]

I agree Martin will definately be a great replacement and will continue where Ron left of and Mclaren will be just as good as before.

[headless]

Hamilton can run the team, be the team.

Like a player-coach in football.

[McLaren Fan]

I'm not sure I buy all of what Ron Dennis is saying. He was planning to leave last season, knowing that the team had a brilliant car and his protégé was doing a great job. Then, spy-gate came and civil war erupted in the team - so all hell broke lose. Then, as if this wasn't bad enough, Max Mosley, his nemesis, felt he could force him out of Formula One. Quite rightly, Dennis refused to be pushed out, or leave on such a low note, so elected to stay, leaving on his own terms and having seen McLaren win at least another title. Now he's telling us that is considering scaling down his involvement in the Formula One side of things, and that was not a result of McLaren's success this season. Hmm...

I don't think we can read too much into McLaren's diversification. It's not a recent thing. You've no doubt heard of the McLaren Group, formerly known as McLaren International. It is made up of an electronics and software company etc., which were established decades ago. Dennis has always been looking for ways to generate extra revenue and expertise in order to help McLaren's Formula One efforts. I'm glad Dennis has tried to get McLaren more involved in road cars. I see it as carrying on Bruce McLaren's plans for the team. Tragically, his ideas for the team's future died with him.

[FerrariFan63]

It's not the diversification that I'm reading anything into. It's Dennis's comments that are interesting.

[welshie]

Ron has also said that Lewis can have the McLaren F1 LM supercar (only 5 made) that sits in the McLaren showroom . . . . but only if he wins the title twice more! So he must be planning staying around a little longer!

[onelapdown]

I think Ron has done a great job of setting in place the succession once he ceases to be at McLaren. Perhaps the sudden death of Paul Morgan in 2001 focussed his mind a little. I don't see him out of F1 any time soon, but Whitmarsh is already pretty much in charge of the F1 team anyway. I'll be interested to see what this sportscar idea is, maybe McLaren can win Le Mans again...

[headless]

Ron is great

[texasmr2]

Ron will be the moving force within and behind McLaren until his time on this earth has expired. Regardless of his role after this season F1 will NOT be the same without him on pitlane.

[headless]

Ron will be the moving force within and behind McLaren until his time on this earth has expired. Regardless of his role after this season F1 will NOT be the same without him on pitlane.

Definately

[AKR]

he is probably concerned that in the case of a Mercedes buy out the McLaren name will be lost.

That would be a fantastic outcome. And if Ron Dennis did go, then Lewis Hamilton wouldn't feel so "Loyal" to McLaren and move on to perhaps somewhere better. Or maybe he will stay and race for a German team called Mercedes.