Ron Dennis steps down as team principal - The MP4-24 launch is overshadowed by Ron's announcement
Published by Christine
Today is the 16th January 2009 and this is F1Minute.
The McLaren MP4-24 was launched today at the Technology Centre in Woking, and by all accounts it’s the best looking of the three cars we have seen so far. Kovalainen says he’s going to be more relaxed this season, whilst Hamilton takes the opposite view and says he won’t get complacent as he attempts to defend his title.
The entire event was overshadowed, however, by the news that Ron Dennis is to step down as Team Principal of McLaren. He’s leaving before the new season starts to be replaced by the very capable Martin Whitmarsh. Dennis won’t be going far though, as he steps up to the role of Chief Executive of the entire McLaren Group of companies. He says: "Don't see it as some sort of retirement, I want to work harder in other areas and having to plan those tasks around the GP calendar is disruptive to the process. It is a job that Martin will embrace and enjoy."
That’s it for today and this week, have a great weekend and I’ll be back on Monday with another F1Minute.
