In a significant development over in Woking, Ron Dennis has been re-appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the McLaren Group, a role previously held by McLaren F1 team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
Dennis previously held the position between 1982 and 2012 before he was appointed as Chairman of the Group in 2013. He was also McLaren’s team principal before Whitmarsh took over in 2009. The appointment comes on the back of McLaren’s first season without a podium in Formula One since 1980 and their first season without a win since 2006 but there was no mention as to how the change will affect with Whitmarsh. It is however feeling as though Whitmarsh’s position as team principal could be under threat. McLaren staff were told by Dennis that “there will be change” and “we will win again”.
According to BBC F1, Ron Dennis has spoken with former Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn and that Brawn is a most likely front runner for taking over the team principal position from Whitmarsh once he has completed his 6 month sabbatical from Formula One.
Dennis made it clear that he’s been tasked with “improving our on-track and off-track performance” and went on to say that he’ll be reviewing the whole of the McLaren Group over the coming weeks. He also added that he’s “excited” to return to the role but warned that the structure at McLaren will change next month.
“My fellow shareholders have mandated me to write an exciting new chapter in the story of McLaren, beginning by improving our on-track and off-track performance,” Ron Dennis said. “Over the coming weeks I intend to undertake a thorough and objective review of each of our businesses with the intention of optimising every aspect of our existing operations, whilst identifying new areas of growth that capitalise on our technologies, and where appropriate further investing in them.
“During February, I will articulate a new Group strategy and implement the organisational structure best suited to achieving it. I am excited by the prospect of returning to the role of Group Chief Executive Officer and working with my many colleagues and fellow shareholders to fulfill our objective – which is to win at whatever we do.”
Ron Dennis will remain Chairman of McLaren Automotive, the road car subsidiary of the brand.
McLaren will be launching their 2014 car, the MP4-29 on the 24th of January ahead of the first pre-season test at Jerez.
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[…] The Frenchman is touted to take over the team principal role from Martin Whitmarsh amidst the return of Ron Dennis’ return as group CEO. McLaren are expected to launch their 2014 challenger in a matter of […]