F1

Dennis steps aside at McLaren

Ron Dennis says 'it's time' for him to stand down. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

Ron Dennis has announced that he is to stand down as the team principal of the McLaren formula one team, to be replaced by Martin Whitmarsh, who is currently the team's CEO. "It's absolutely time for Martin to take over the job of team principal, so as of March 1, Martin will adopt that position," Dennis said today at the McLaren season launch at the team's headquarters in Woking, Surrey.

Dennis, 61, took over as team principal in 1981 and was instrumental in building the team into one of the sport's most successful operations, most recently presiding over Lewis Hamilton's world championship triumph. He confirmed that he will not be retiring from the sport, but will shift his attentions to other areas of the McLaren business.

"I don't see this as a form of retirement," Dennis said. "It's very much the opposite because I will now be working harder in other areas. I will now take on more responsibility, greater responsibility, in certain key areas of the group. 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.

"I will still be full executive chairman. But it's time, and it's absolutely 100% my decision. It's what I want to do."

source :www.guardian.co.uk