'Dennis will resign later this week'

'Dennis will resign later this week'
Sunday 2nd March 2008

Ron Dennis will reportedly bid farewell to McLaren and F1 later this week.

Dennis is one of the most influential men in the history of the sport, but the prolonged Stepneygate affair coupled with the relentless nature of the calendar will see the 61-year-old call it quits, even though the British constructor denied that Dennis was to leave his post.

Britain's best-selling Sunday broadsheet, The Sunday Times, claims: 'Dennis is understood to feel that the time demands of heading up the F1 team have become disproportionate and, contrary to reports last week, Dennis is increasingly inclined towards a change of priorities.'

Contrary to the aforementioned reports which suggested that Mercedes wanted to see the back of Dennis, The Times claim that he 'is under no pressure from other shareholders.'

The timing of the decision is sure to raise eyebrows as Lewis Hamilton is tipped to challenge for the World Championship this season despite the �50m fine meted out by the FIA.

However, Dennis is reportedly confident that his departure 'would not adversely affect the business, including Hamilton's chances of winning the Championship.'

The McLaren chief, whose personal fortune is �90m, 'intends to be more available to his children, and also believes that the role of team principal has changed,' according to the broadsheet.

Dennis' role at Woking differs from that of other team bosses as he also sits on the McLaren board.

The Brit was expected to step down at the end of 2007, but he delayed these plans and remained at the helm of the team through the Stepneygate crisis.

According to The Times, 'Dennis is expected to announce his decision in midweek. He is under no pressure from other shareholders and many staff have been urging him to stay on. The biggest factor which might still stay his hand is the perception outside McLaren.'

source: planetf1.com