McLaren: 'Dennis rumours are unfounded'

Friday 29th February 2008

McLaren have denied rumours that team boss Ron Dennis will be forced to stand down after Wednesday's raids on McLaren headquarters.

That was the message from McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh following rumours this week Dennis would be pushed into relinquishing his role in the wake of last year's spy scandal which severely damaged the company.

Since McLaren were fined �50million and stripped of all Constructors' points for 2007 for being in unauthorised possession of confidential information belonging to Ferrari in September, Dennis' position has long been speculated upon.

The gossip intensified this week following the visit by Italian investigators - assisted by Surrey Police - to the homes of leading McLaren personnel, including Dennis, as a criminal case remains ongoing.

But Whitmarsh has categorically dismissed the scaremongering as he said: "The rumours are unfounded - for a number of reasons.

"First, the visits were merely part of ongoing enquiries by the Italian authorities, who used the Surrey Police as intermediaries.

"As such, they weren't really very surprising, or therefore very stressful.

"Second, and most important, people who suggest that Ron may be forced to step down don't understand the corporate structure of the McLaren Group.

"Ron is fully supported by all our shareholders, all our management, and all who work for our team and our company.

"He currently has three roles: chairman, McLaren Group; chief executive officer, McLaren Group; team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.

"It therefore follows that it is for Ron to decide when and if he should step down, step away, step back, or whatever."

Whitmarsh, who has confirmed Dennis will be attending the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 16, has made it clear McLaren were more than happy to comply with the Italian investigation.

"The visits were part of ongoing enquiries by the Italian authorities, who used the Surrey Police as intermediaries," explained Whitmarsh on autosport.com.

"The policemen involved were efficient and courteous, and went about their business with minimal fuss.

"We welcomed and co-operated fully with their enquiries, and the police professed themselves entirely happy with the co-operation they received from us."

A source close to Dennis also denied to the Times that the McLaren team boss would be stepping down.

"There has been a lot of talk of Ron missing the race in Melbourne and then resigning from McLaren. He will be in Melbourne but may be late due to a number of other commitments," the source said.

"But there is no question of him being under pressure from anybody to throw in the towel. He sees this season as a big opportunity to put McLaren back on track and repair some of the damage of last season.

"He is as determined and focused as ever."

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