David Coulthard Supporters Forum

sassyshiraz · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:19 am Post subject: Ron quits McLaren

I don't know how you guys feel about Ron quitting and I guess it was going to happen but as much as Ron has infuriated me over the past years especially over the way in which he treated DC at times he's still or was a big figure in F1 and 40 years is a very long time to be in the business. Had it not been for Dave Ryan and Lewis doing what they did in Oz this would never have happened and Ron would not have stepped down under these circumstances!!! I know he is going to concentrate on McLaren Automotive now but it's not the same.

Dennis announces he's quitting Formula One
Thursday 16th April 2009

Ron Dennis has ended his 40-year F1 career by standing down as McLaren CEO - and insisted that the decision was his alone.

Earlier today it was reported that Dennis would be leaving F1 in its entirety with the British media claiming that he would be doing so in the hope of lessening McLaren's punishment in their upcoming World Motor Sport Council hearing.

It was also claimed that the decision was made in an attempt to ensure that Anthony Hamilton, who was described as wanting the "prickly and arrogant" Dennis away from Lewis, will keep his son on McLaren's payroll.

And although Dennis shied away from both topics in the McLaren press release, the 61-year-old did take a dig at his old nemesis Max Mosley saying he doubts the FIA President will shed too many tears over his departure.

"I passed the role of team principal of McLaren to Martin Whitmarsh on January 16th, the day of the launch of our new Formula 1 car. That day I was asked many times whether I would attend the 2009 Australian Grand Prix. My answer was "yes". I duly attended it - albeit not as the person in charge of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It was, I admit, a strange feeling," he stated

"The next race, the Malaysian Grand Prix, I watched on TV in the UK - an activity I found surprisingly easy. I'd expected to be more emotional about it, after an unbroken run of attending so many grands prix for so many years.

"I admit I'm not always easy to get on with. I admit I've always fought hard for McLaren in Formula 1. I doubt if Max Mosley or Bernie Ecclestone will be displeased by my decision. But no-one asked me to do it. It was my decision.

"Equally, I was the architect of today's restructure of the McLaren Group. Again, no-one asked me to do it. It was my decision.

"I feel enormously enthused about the prospects for the McLaren Group and for McLaren Automotive, and have no qualms about leaving Martin to report to the board regarding matters connected with Formula 1."

The restructuring sees Dennis takes the reigns over McLaren Automotive while Martin Whitmarsh will become Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Racing, which means he will be responsible to the board for the activities of McLaren Racing in addition to his role of team boss of McLaren's F1 team.

sassyshiraz · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:42 am Post subject:

As an after thought it would be amusing if the Mac shareholders wanted to get rid of Whitmarsh now. Trilly-84-43

Cas · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:07 am Post subject:

It shows how desperate they are to keep Hamilton!!

There was an article claiming that if McLaren get banned from the rest of the season, then Hamilton may go to Brawn, replacing Barricello!

I've never liked |Ron much, but it seems very sad to have to leave such a long career in such a way Sad

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Carol xxx