Warning: The last thread was close because of the digression of the topic. PLEASE do not go off into other topics (Spygate, etc.). People who do this ruin the opportunity for the rest of us who actually want to discuss something relevant to the topic, but couldn't because of the elementary discussion that took place in the other thread and gave the moderator no choice but to close the topic.

Anyhow, getting on with it...

Obviously, it's very symbolic that Dennis is doing so in the first race after the end of Max's reign. Surely, there's some intended symbolism in his move.

We also know that some discussions are taking place about the McLaren-Mercedes-Brawn triangle. Surely, he has a part in them. We should also remember the rumors about McLaren looking at going fully independent as part of their launch into a car manufacturer and larger company, and the report is that Mumtalakat- the Bahraini holding company that has a 30% stake in McLaren already- would be involved in any purchase of Daimler's 40% stake in McLaren and in providing the funds to grow the company's operations and establish a F1 engine program. Abu Dhabi would thus present a great opportunity for him to meet with Arab partners and make progress on a potential deal. Surely, Hamilton's form so far this weekend doesn't hurt.

On the last paragraph, I suspect it's quite clear what Ron Dennis is thinking: that McLaren should go fully independent as it grows its company and should establish an engine program. Here's a great interview he did with CAR Magazine, in which he gave the following statement:



http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-R...cLaren-MP4-12C/

There's a YouTube video of the interview at the bottom of the article.

Personally, I'm very happy to see Dennis back in the F1 paddock and glad to see him with such a great project on his hands. You can say what you want about things he's done over the years, but there's no doubt he is one of F1's greatest Team Principals in its history and one of the true visionaries of motorsport. He looks as though he may be about to become a visionary in the motoring industry more broadly, as well. As a McLaren fan, he's truly a hero of mine, although I'll readily acknowledge that like most powerful men in F1, he is not without his faults.

Oh... And I've got a craving for Ronspeak that MUST be satisfied! ;)

Nice post.
It's good to see him there and I hope we get to see more of him in 2010.

That's a great quote - and I was not aware of the details.

Mclaren is far more than 2007 - but I guess the haters have their own agenda.


for what Mclaren have in spades check the link in my signature.


glad to see him at another F1 race

I don't mean to be a prick, mate, but it doesn't help to say something that might incite them again in this thread.

If they say anything in this thread, just ignore them.

I think he's going to take on a role similar to Luca di Montezemolo and will pop up at various races each year. I wouldn't be suppressed if a big part of the reason for going to Abu Dhabi is to sell a few MP4-12Cs to the various ultra wealthy individuals in the paddock this weekend.

As I said in the other thread, it is excellent to see Ron Dennis back.

He's one of the great figures of the modern age, anything said to the contrary is a smear.

McLaren F1 GTR, sweet!
Talk about a car (the F1 in general) a decade ahead of its time, or more!

I wonder if its in Mclarens Saudi backers interests to have a fully independent McLaren with its own engines, they would be able to proclaim the mclaren is the Middle Easts Ferrari?

It was great to see Ron again and was a tragedy he was forced to disappear without any kind of send off after all the years in F1.

Or, they could just reap big time profits on both the F1 side and road car side, as surely McLaren's F1 engine development would carry over to the road car engines.

Yup. That's what I see happening, and that's what was being set up anyways. Now with Mosley out of the way, it can proceed in full.

Assuming that McLaren's road car and track aspirations are going to collide in a couple years (engine from road car developed for F1 car) I'm assuming we'll be seeing a lot more of Ron in the paddock. Which for the sport, and the team, is awesome.

I still hear rumors of BMW's engine facility being of interest to Mclaren. Makes me wonder if Ron is there for an after race announcement along those lines as well.

Fantastic post, agree wholeheartedly with ALL your sentiments

Everyones heard these rumours, but never more has come to light, to be honest I don't think its going to happen.

Great post mate, i hope to get some glimps from RD tomorrow!

Welcome back RD, may it be the first of many many more visits to f1 rounds.

Good to see ol' Ron and ol' Jean in the paddock. And the presence of the former is a sign that the latter is the new President of FIA.

I heard Alonso to Ferrari for almost two years. To discount the rumor after 3 or so months of hearing it would have been folly, huh?

Granted nothing may come of them. But to discount them before either party would want to logically announce such a deal, especially considering the rumors persist, is premature IMO.

Not discounting it, or anything, just as you said I'm not sure anythign will come off it, I read somewhere BMW was demanding too much money for the engines.

Great to see him, I always wondered if he would give Bruno Senna a test in a McLaren?

They probably are. Especially if a Mercedes backed team is inquiring. Being out of the game might change their perspective. Especially if Mercedes joins forces with Brawn.

Who really know? Got any popcorn? The show is about to begin.

I would definitly like them to develop some type of secret partnership with BMW if they leave merc, BMW is one of the greatest makers of engines in the world, with the new rules of a 1.8T it might suit them...

The king is back !

I think Ron has always been keen to mould his enterprise into a Ferrari rival, a brand that is what it is by name alone. To be fair he's nearly there, and the logical missing piece is exactly what you guys have been saying. The McLaren engine is overdue. The motorsport brand has to be "McLaren". period. It will be a mirror and true rival to Ferrari.

Have they met each other in the paddock?

Perhaps Todt could make Dennis his F1 czar...

Ron and Jean - the new Max and Bernie?

Very fascinating to see Ron Dennis being back in paddock. Formula One will be more exciting if he continues to be present at the Mclaren paddock.


I think the guy has got a big vision very intriguing.

Not one his biggest fans, but good to see him there.

Quite, but maybe best that Ron vision is about McLaren Group and leaves the day to day running of McLaren-Mercedes to the more media friendly and politcally astute Whitmarsh.
Probs better for everyone all around.

And this coming from a big fan of his.


Its not the same without him and also I think really Briatore should be allowed to visit. He might be guilty but he is one of the biggest names in F1 in 20 years, one of the defining forces.

Was it 23rd Nov?


Do Ron actually purchase BMW engine facility? He would have to move all stuff to Paragon, tho. Less likely?

Anyway what is in B<W box, apart from leaving employees...?

I doubt Ron Dennis wants to mirror anyone, but I think he understood from Ferrari's success that building an iconic brand name is important for his own company success. Also a rivalry IMO is not what he really wants. He wants to be best in everything he does.

Yeah, I guess mirror and rival are not quite the words I was looking for. More... a brand in the same vein as Ferrari. (which would anyway in business and competitve terms mean a rival I guess)

Looks wise at least, this new McLaren MCPKRTLWXYZ-12CDRQSMNG looks like a competitor to the 360 Modena rather than the 458 Italia.

Doesn't make any sense to be honest ; why invest money in building engines yourself for your road cars and then bail over to BMW?

the Abu Dhabi royal family own 30% of McLaren, Ron is the big chief, I expect the sheikh wanted Ron there to discuss business

Merc chairman Dieter Zetsche is there, plus the Arab investors in Mac and Brawn, so the Mac/Merc split is the main event on Ron's agenda I think.

A win + humiliation for Ferrari at the FerrariWorld thingy would be icing on the cake

No, Mumtalakat owns the 30%.

Ron collaring Alonso's mate in Hungary 07 was quality

It was like a teacher just found some kid having a sly snout

Invest money in BMW's facility, aka, buy it.

But they've already got money plying into the development of their own road car engine.

What does that have to do with their F1 engine?

David Richards was there too.

Prodrive also has Arab investors.

Is there anyone from Notts County there?

Which is owned by the sheikh's, their investment vehicle but either way Ron would have been there for meetings with the big chiefs as opposed to sticking 2 fingers up at Max

Mumtalakat is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Bahrain to AbuDhabi is about the same distance as London to Manchester if that, the Bahrainis would be at the race, Ron made no attempt to stand out this weekend or give interviews, if he wanted to embarrass Max he would have been high profile, there was 1 shot of him on tv

He's there on business, I'd say, not politics. I still think too much is read into the personal relationships between these people. (Ron, Jean, Max, Bernie etc)

There must be something to talk about,when WDC and WCC are not in contention no more.Personally i would like Ron to come back,because i miss Ronspeak