Dennis to quit as McLaren chief

McLaren team principal Ron Dennis announces intention to step down before beginning of new formula one season

Ron Dennis has announced his intention to step down as McLaren team principal before the beginning of the new formula one season in March.

Dennis, 61, has been in charge of the Woking-based outfit since 1981 but will hand over control of the team on a day-to-day basis to his current number two Martin Whitmarsh.

"It's time for Martin to take over," said Dennis, who will continue as executive chairman of the McLaren group.

"It is 100 per cent my decision - this is a job he will embrace and from now most race-day decisions will be his.

"I don't see this as some sort of retirement because it is the exact opposite.

"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."

Dennis is still expected to attend many of the grands prix in the coming season and will maintain a close relationship with young protégé Lewis Hamilton, who the veteran owner nursed through the youth ranks of motorsport before handing him his F1 debut in 2007.

However, it will be Whitmarsh, 51, who takes direct control of the McLaren F1 team.

"It doesn't feel like a bombshell to me - Ron has reached this point and I was keen for him to dictate a timeframe - but I certainly didn't push him," explained Whitmarsh, who joined the team as director of operations in 1989.

"I've worked with Ron for 20 years and he has had an incredible career, but formula one is changing and evolving and so is this business."

Dennis is expected to formally stand down on March 1st, meaning Whitmarsh will have time to establish his authority before the curtain-raising Australian grand prix on March 29th.