What really did happen to/with Ron Denis?
Discussion
'Have spotted a few mentions to Ron Denis and his exit from the race team lately - mainly linked to the current FIA V Renault issue - but just wondered if anyone has any information (detailed, factual knowledge as much as opinion!) on just why he left and what role the FIA, Mosely and, maybe, evEn, Whitmarch had in this?
I've heard some of the rumours and intrigue and have remained interested in just what went on and hoped that, with the distance since the events, someone (maybe in the know) might have put together a thread of truth they would be willing to offer.
I've heard some of the rumours and intrigue and have remained interested in just what went on and hoped that, with the distance since the events, someone (maybe in the know) might have put together a thread of truth they would be willing to offer.
ewenm said:
Current issue of evo has an interview with him. He says he left the F1 team to concentrate 100% on the new road car to give it the best chance of success.
I would have that that was a bit of a cover story - the road car would have been in the more advanced stages of design/development at that point. He took one for the team, so to speak.Rollcage said:
ewenm said:
Current issue of evo has an interview with him. He says he left the F1 team to concentrate 100% on the new road car to give it the best chance of success.
I would have that that was a bit of a cover story - the road car would have been in the more advanced stages of design/development at that point. He took one for the team, so to speak.The general consensus seems to be that he left as a condition of McLaren remaining in the championship post Hamilton lying to the stewards. However, there are suggestions that it went back a bit further than that.
If you remember, there was a suggestion that Dennis agreed to leave McLaren after Stepneygate at the end of the season. Whilst this might not have been published, it would have been actionable. If he refused to go, McLaren could be punished.
So many felt that Mosley had his victory and could then move on to the next big manufacturer. However, after such decisions of a regulator it is required that the victim, oh, sorry, defendant prostrate themselves before the god and apologise officially, publicly and unreservedly. The letter signed by Whitmarsh, significantly not by Dennis, suggesting he was too important to communicate with such beings as the FIA, was anything but an apology. It was an attack on the FIA.
In my group of F1 nerds we have a corporate lawyer - a compliance lawyer. I don't know what that is and, it would appear, neither to they. Despite the fact that they support Alonso, they do have periods of lucidity. Brief, but interesting ones. Whilst such matters were outside their speciality, the decision was that whilst the letter was obviously written by lawyers, it was still a risk too far. ‘Mosley must react’ was the (free) decision.
When the reaction kept not coming there was a bit of ribaldry but then we got Mosley’s acceptance of the fact that McLaren in general and Dennis in particular knew nothing of the information flow from Stepney, through Coghlan to Alonso and Pdl Rosa. There was a fabulously staged photo, on the steps of McLaren HQ – not even inside in RD’s office – with RD standing a step above Mosley, shaking hands with him. The expression on RD’s face indicated that he’d be using some form of viral scrub on his hands once the photoshoot was over.
Our lawyer’s decision was that three scenarios were favourite:
1/ Further evidence had risen to the surface,
2/ Lawyers for McLaren had threatened to go civil with good likelihood of success, or, and this is Miss World order,
3/ Some corrupt circumstance had been discovered in the FIA’s procedure.
If, and it is only if, RD had agreed to step down then such new evidence of what ever type, sufficient to generate an apology, would negate the requirement to resign.
RD had won.
And I would suggest that the old saying of he who laughs last would not apply in this case as regardless of RD having to drop out after LH’s lying charge, the fact remains that Mosley was roundly trounced over Stepneygate. And he’s not the type to accept the later victory.
So, if you are taking a compliance to court, I know just the lawyer. An Alonso fan but you can't have everything.
EDITED TO ADD:
Our lawyer also suggested that there would be a reduction in the fine. This, in their opinion, would be the first to go. The photoshoot was just a bit of fun for RD. I'm not so sure that it was of little consequence to RD.
If you remember, there was a suggestion that Dennis agreed to leave McLaren after Stepneygate at the end of the season. Whilst this might not have been published, it would have been actionable. If he refused to go, McLaren could be punished.
So many felt that Mosley had his victory and could then move on to the next big manufacturer. However, after such decisions of a regulator it is required that the victim, oh, sorry, defendant prostrate themselves before the god and apologise officially, publicly and unreservedly. The letter signed by Whitmarsh, significantly not by Dennis, suggesting he was too important to communicate with such beings as the FIA, was anything but an apology. It was an attack on the FIA.
In my group of F1 nerds we have a corporate lawyer - a compliance lawyer. I don't know what that is and, it would appear, neither to they. Despite the fact that they support Alonso, they do have periods of lucidity. Brief, but interesting ones. Whilst such matters were outside their speciality, the decision was that whilst the letter was obviously written by lawyers, it was still a risk too far. ‘Mosley must react’ was the (free) decision.
When the reaction kept not coming there was a bit of ribaldry but then we got Mosley’s acceptance of the fact that McLaren in general and Dennis in particular knew nothing of the information flow from Stepney, through Coghlan to Alonso and Pdl Rosa. There was a fabulously staged photo, on the steps of McLaren HQ – not even inside in RD’s office – with RD standing a step above Mosley, shaking hands with him. The expression on RD’s face indicated that he’d be using some form of viral scrub on his hands once the photoshoot was over.
Our lawyer’s decision was that three scenarios were favourite:
1/ Further evidence had risen to the surface,
2/ Lawyers for McLaren had threatened to go civil with good likelihood of success, or, and this is Miss World order,
3/ Some corrupt circumstance had been discovered in the FIA’s procedure.
If, and it is only if, RD had agreed to step down then such new evidence of what ever type, sufficient to generate an apology, would negate the requirement to resign.
RD had won.
And I would suggest that the old saying of he who laughs last would not apply in this case as regardless of RD having to drop out after LH’s lying charge, the fact remains that Mosley was roundly trounced over Stepneygate. And he’s not the type to accept the later victory.
So, if you are taking a compliance to court, I know just the lawyer. An Alonso fan but you can't have everything.
EDITED TO ADD:
Our lawyer also suggested that there would be a reduction in the fine. This, in their opinion, would be the first to go. The photoshoot was just a bit of fun for RD. I'm not so sure that it was of little consequence to RD.
Edited by Derek Smith on Sunday 20th September 21:58
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