Ron Dennis is to quit as team principal of McLaren, it has been revealed. Dennis has run McLaren since 1981 and hands over to current number two Martin Whitmarsh ahead of the ’09 F1 season.
Dennis is expected to stay on as chief executive of the McLaren Group of companies and hopes to spend more time on other parts of the company.
The 61-year-old said: ‘It's time for Martin to take over. It is 100% my decision - this is a job he will embrace and from now most race-day decisions will be his," said Dennis.
'I still have huge passion for F1 and I want to be supportive of Martin's responsibilities, but that will come purely in the form of voicing an opinion. Maybe they'll get my opinion when they don't want it! But I hope Martin will listen to my opinions, even if ultimately - as it will - the ultimate decision rests solely with him.
'This is the right time for this decision. But don't see this as some sort of retirement because it is the exact opposite. The first thing I must do is raise my own game because everybody realises this is a tough period in which to work. My decision - and it is solely, and exclusively my decision - has been made on the basis of what is best for McLaren.
'We are a very diverse organisation and we have a number of other projects ongoing, including the development of our road car, and that is going to be a real challenge.However, really I want to downplay this decision, because today is about the new car, where we're going forward as a team - it certainly isn't about my stepping down.'
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