It is also believed that there had been no change of shareholdings at McLaren,
which is half-owned by Bahrain’s investment fund Mumtalakat, and that nobody
has been sacked or made redundant.
Dennis has been a shareholder of McLaren since 1980, and enjoyed huge success
with the team as principal from 1982 to 2009, and CEO from 1982 to 2012; a
period in which they won seven constructors and 10 drivers’ titles. He will
remain head of the McLaren Automotive sportscar division.
Following his appointment on Thursday, Dennis said he has been “mandated to
write an exciting new chapter in the story of McLaren”, as well as being
tasked with “improving our on-track and off-track performance”.
He went on: “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, while 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.”
McLaren had one of the worst years in their history in 2013, with fourth place
for Jenson
Button at the final race in Interlagos, Brazil, their best finish
all season. Mexican Sergio Perez was also dropped after just one year with
the team, and has been replaced by 21-year-old Kevin Magnussen.
The team have not won the drivers’ championship since 2008, with Lewis
Hamilton, and have not won the constructors’ title since 1999, when
Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard were the team’s drivers.
McLaren will move into the final season of their partnership with Mercedes
as engine supplier this year, before switching to Honda engines in 2015 upon
their return to the sport.
For 2015 Martin Whitmarsh had been attempting to secure the return to the team
of double world champion Fernando Alonso, who enjoyed a fractious
relationship with the Woking outfit in 2007 and fell out with Dennis.
Despite Dennis last month insisting he would not have a problem with the
Spaniard returning, that now seems unlikely.
McLaren will unveil their car for 2014 a week tomorrow in a digital-only
launch, while pre-season testing begins in Jerez, Spain, the following week. Ferrari
also confirmed on Thursday their car would launch online on Jan 25, with the
team leaving it up to fans to decide the name of the car from five choices
in an online vote.
Meanwhile, Pirelli concluded its contract with the FIA to supply tyres to Formula
One so that it will continue in the sport for the next three
seasons. The Italian manufacturer had originally agreed a five-year deal
with Ecclestone and the teams, but the FIA only agreed to the three-year
extension.