In one way then, the start of the season will be a great 'fix point' for them to target and actually go there and say: 'Right, now the races are back on, we will get focused on that and carry on', but there are still many, many rumours floating around, not least with people speculating that Ron is going to step down.

Whether Ron should, or will, stay on, I don't know. What is clear, I think, is that he has been at the head of McLaren for a very long time. He has got to the point in his life when maybe he is starting to think about what else there is to do. There is life outside of motorsport and maybe that is something he is reflecting on.

Whatever happens, however, if he stays or steps down, there will still be a big part of Ron Dennis running through the veins of all at the McLaren Group. I don't think he will be going far if he does go somewhere either.

As for the likes of BMW, Renault et all, I'll look at how I think they might do in part 2 of my preview for Australia.


MB