Contrary to claims that he had been forced out of the company he has fronted through thick and thin in
Formula One, Ron Dennis remains at the helm of McLaren with the backing of those around him.
Rumours surfaced earlier this week that Dennis had been sacked as the espionage row that dogged 2007 continued to rumble on as 'private' Italian investigations dragged the matter into 2008. However, the company has responded, not only by demonstrating its support for its figurehead, but also by revealing that removing him is not as simple as it would appear.
"There is no question that Ron has everybody's full support," Dennis' right-hand man - and the man most likely to succeed him as team boss - Martin Whitmarsh told reporters, "Ron is fully supported by all our shareholders, all our managers and all who work for our team's company. He continues to fulfil the role of chairman of the McLaren Group, chief executive of the McLaren Group, and team principal of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It therefore follows that it is for Ron to decide when and if to step down, step away, step back or whatever."
Dennis' home was among several raided by British and Italian police this week, along with
McLaren's Woking base, but, despite the upheaval, Whitmarsh insisted that preparations for the forthcoming Australian Grand Prix - where he expects Dennis to be on pit-wall even if the rumour mill doesn't - had not been disrupted.
The raids and speculation over his future compounded an already difficult month for Dennis, who recently announced that he was to split from wife Lisa after 22 years of marriage, but, in a private briefing with Britain's
Daily Telegraph newspaper, he revealed that, as leader of an organisation he part owns, it is pretty hard to oust him.
Dennis, now beyond his 60th birthday, did admit, however, that he was constantly evaluating his position and role within the McLaren organisation, with the timing of a decision apparently the only element to be sorted in his mind.
