Dennis has the support of his team, according to Whitmarsh
McLaren F1’s CEO, Martin Whitmarsh, stated that Ron Dennis has the full support of all the shareholders of his company and refuted the rumors that the Briton was going to step down from his current position. This week, there have been speculations that Dennis may have been forced to step down from his role as […]
McLaren F1’s CEO, Martin Whitmarsh, stated that Ron Dennis has the full support of all the shareholders of his company and refuted the rumors that the Briton was going to step down from his current position.
This week, there have been speculations that Dennis may have been forced to step down from his role as team principal. This decision following his poor handling of the 2007 espionage case.
These rumors intensified after the visit of Italian investigators to the homes of McLaren’s top executives, including Dennis, last Wednesday.
But Whitmarsh clarified that Dennis had the full support of the team and its partners. According to him, any change in Dennis’s position would go against the policy promoted by McLaren-Mercedes.
« The rumors are unfounded for a number of reasons, » said Whitmarsh.
Firstly, the home visits are only part of the ongoing procedure conducted by the Italian authorities, who have used Surrey police as intermediaries. In this respect, it’s not very surprising, nor very stressful.
« Then, and this is the most important, people who think about a possible resignation of Ron do not understand the structure of the McLaren Group. »
Ron is fully supported by all of our shareholders and everyone who works for our team and our company. He currently has three roles: chairman of the McLaren Group, CEO of the McLaren Group, and team principal of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, he continued.
« It follows that it is up to Ron to decide on his resignation, should it occur. »
When asked whether Dennis should attend the season opener at the Australian Grand Prix, Whitmarsh replied: « Yes »
He also emphasized that McLaren was happy to cooperate with the Italian investigators.
« The police officers involved were efficient and courteous, and did what they had to do with a minimum of fuss. »
« We fully cooperated with the investigators. The police themselves were completely satisfied with the cooperation we provided during this search, » concluded Whitmarsh.
