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Dennis to Switch to McLaren Sportscar Role

Ron Dennis admitted late yesterday that he will most likely step down as team principal for the McLaren F1 team although assuring the British fans that he will still attending races inside the Great Circle in the upcoming season. The McLaren boss was rumored to leave the Woking-based outfit from as early as last winter – following the spygate scandal – but remained for one more season with Mercedes works team.

Dennis is believed to take on a new role inside McLaren Mercedes' sportscar project, due to be launched later this year.

“It's very close to being publicly launched. Obviously this economic situation makes life very difficult when you are trying to raise the capital it requires, but the programme is extremely advanced and this is something I have got as much passion for as the F1 car. My role will broaden in some aspects and reduce in others.”

“I have believed passionately in the need for a Grand Prix team to diversify and it is not by accident that McLaren is a group of companies, we do intend to try to match the success of Ferrari and to do that we cannot just be a Grand Prix team. We want as broad a possible a base for the company, not just the race but also making sportscars. We want to be bigger and better than just a Grand Prix team - it's critical to survival,” admitted Dennis on Monday.

However, he insisted that his new job will not be ending his relationship with F1 racing, as he will still be attending most of the Grand Prix next season.

“I have still got several ambitions I want to fulfill, but you will most definitely see me at Grands Prix and it is something I like too much to take out of my life. You will see me on the pitwall, I will be at races. I think over the next few months I will make it abundantly clear what I am doing and why I am doing it, but it would have taken place no matter what. Don't read too much into it,” concluded the McLaren boss.
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