Ron Dennis forced to resign?

[jamieboy]

Seems unlikely, but that's what this report says:

Motor Authority » Report: McLaren F1 CEO Ron Dennis fired

I can't find any other reports to support it - anyone know anything more?

[Chill]

I suspect it may be Spanish mischief over the treatment of Alonso - but as they say there's no smoke without fire.

[RicksAlfas]

I hope not. I hope the FIA do everything they can to continue to look unfair and out of control whilst Lewis and Mclaren win everything "by the book".

[alimac1973]

Can't find anything about this anywhere else, not even a press release on the mclaren website to confirm. Could be propaganda by the Spanish press, but like Chill says, there's no smoke without fire.

[Marko156]

I'd say that's absolute rubbish, only Mercedes have a big enough share to fire him and I can't see that happening!!
True enough there's no smoke w/out fire but is it coincidence that it's a spanish newspaper that printed this?!?!?!

[jamieboy]

Originally Posted by Marko156

I'd say that's absolute rubbish, only Mercedes have a big enough share to fire him and I can't see that happening!!

The report says that it is Mercedes who have forced him to step down. McLaren had an appalling year financially, regardless of the FIA penalty so maybe that has some bearing on it?

Originally Posted by Marko156

True enough there's no smoke w/out fire but is it coincidence that it's a spanish newspaper that printed this?!?!?!

That's the thing - I don't think any paper would risk publishing something like this unless it had some basis in truth. Although the Motor Authority article is a report of a report, so it could have got mangled anywhere along the line.

I know Ron has spoken before about stepping aside, so maybe we'll find out that this is what has happened, and the paper is trying to put a more negative spin on it.

[jamieboy]

Apparently Mercedes has denied it, according to this German website:

Exklusiv - Entlassungs-Gerüchte um Dennis - Mercedes dementiert - Formel 1 bei adrivo.com - Motorsport Magazin

[Marko156]

I don't speak much german!! Is there a way to translate that???

[jamieboy]

Originally Posted by Marko156

I don't speak much german!! Is there a way to translate that???

AltaVista - Babel Fish Translation

Paste the URL in to the box at the bottom, select the 'to' and 'from' languages, and after a few seconds it'll give you a not-very-good-at-all translation of the page - the problem being that it tends to translate the words literally. Slightly better than nothing, though.

[BigFoot]

The rumour that Dennis was going to quite has been around a while, particularly as this was coupled with another rumour about Daimler taking over a majority stake in the business.

His recent split with his wife might have been what has ignited all the very recent speculation.

[PR]

It was said last year that Mercedes were fuming with the conduct of McLaren, as Merc backed their integrity publicly all the way through. Then when McLaren admitted it all they were left very red faced. At the time Merc wanted to buy majority stake, and probably so they could put their own people at the top maybe?

[PeterWolf]

Well then Pedro needs to go as well . And then Mercedes buys them out...McLren becomes Mercedes McLaren like BMW Sauber. So we'll have two very strong german teams that will start dominating F1 in the near future.

[PeterWolf]

Full support for the Ron

autosport.com - F1 News: Dennis has full support, says Whitmarsh

[BigFoot]

Of course, he's the guy writing everyone's paycheque

[alimac1973]

Theres more allegations on Ron going, Planet F1 have put out this report saying he is to stand down at the end of this week.

This sounds more like it could be very real, if it is true he'll be missed in the sport.

Orange F1 in association with Planet-F1.com

[BigFoot]

News hitting most of the papers this morning.

[alimac1973]

It appears that Ron might not be going, Martin Whitmarsh has stated in a press release put out in the 'Guardian' this monday that it is pure speculation if Ron will go

A successor for the Englishman has already been decided with Whitmarsh set to take the reigns once Dennis's retirement is announced.

Whitmarsh, who joined the team in 1989, is spent the past two decades training for role, however, insists that he's willing to wait a bit longer should Dennis opt not to quit.

"You must understand this is all speculation," Whitmarsh told The Guardian on Monday.

"I certainly think we need to stem the tide of the 'Ron has had it' coverage which we've seen in some sections of the media recently. It's entirely - and I emphasise entirely - his decision if he decides he will have a change of role.

"There's no pressure either on me or from me. I've been at McLaren for 19 years and am incredibly patient. Nor do I intend to be the Judas who knifed Ron in the back."

The full story: Orange F1 in association with Planet-F1.com

[Squadrone Rosso]

He's getting divorced, but from his wife not Maclaren.

[PeterWolf]

Dennis has 'full support' from Mercedes

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has the full support of partners Mercedes, the German company's motorsport boss Norbert Haug has said.

autosport.com - F1 News: Dennis has 'full support' from Mercedes

[PR]

With McLarens history of telling blatent lies when it suited them (ie most of last year!) I wouldnt take anything they say too seriously now

[PC7671]

Looks like he's staying.

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