From GMM
The 2008 Formula 1 season may be Ron Dennis' last season at the helm of the McLaren team - particularly if the Mercedes-powered squad wins its first championship in nearly a decade.
The 61-year-old Dennis is quoted as saying by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "If I do step back, I would want to do that with a title."
The magazine claims the Briton, who began working as a mechanic in formula one as a teenager in the 1960s, is so desperate to return the silverware to Woking that the team is still flat-out on the 2008 car, rather than switching its focus to the sweeping rules changes for next year.
However, the team quickly reacted to this story. The team spokesman said Auto Motor und Sport's article was "based around a very old quote".
"Ron has made it clear on numerous occasions that he has made no decision as to if and when he may or may not step aside.
"Ron's, and the team's, focus remains on winning every grand prix we start - and that applies to this season, next season, the season after that, and so on," he continued.
"As a result, we are maintaining development of our 2009 car at undiminished levels, while continually improving our 2008 car, race by race, test by test, in the normal way."
photo:McLaren
The 2008 Formula 1 season may be Ron Dennis' last season at the helm of the McLaren team - particularly if the Mercedes-powered squad wins its first championship in nearly a decade.
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| Lewis Hamilton and Ron Dennis |
The magazine claims the Briton, who began working as a mechanic in formula one as a teenager in the 1960s, is so desperate to return the silverware to Woking that the team is still flat-out on the 2008 car, rather than switching its focus to the sweeping rules changes for next year.
However, the team quickly reacted to this story. The team spokesman said Auto Motor und Sport's article was "based around a very old quote".
"Ron has made it clear on numerous occasions that he has made no decision as to if and when he may or may not step aside.
"Ron's, and the team's, focus remains on winning every grand prix we start - and that applies to this season, next season, the season after that, and so on," he continued.
"As a result, we are maintaining development of our 2009 car at undiminished levels, while continually improving our 2008 car, race by race, test by test, in the normal way."
photo:McLaren