633 replies to this topic

[mclarensmps]

To counter each point here:

 

1. Yes, the timing was odd. Agree

 

2. Based on previous discussions we have had on this, the budget is TP's responsibility. Therefore, MW not having a budget is of his own making

 

3. Works Honda is arriving next year, and, if anything, having a new structure underway before that partnership is activated is a wise sporting/business decision

 

4. The TP didn't produce the car. The team under the TP did. Todays results had a lot to do with the car, yes, but it had a lot to do with strategy and driver choices

 

Having said all this, I fully understand why you and other people dislike Ron, and you guys are fully entitled to your opinion. However, just like my points of view are in favour towards them, it does come across as though your point of view is designed to be skewed against him. 

[peroa]

Well, lazy misses Martin because of the bromance with our lovely Jenson, nothing more, nothing less.

I however have my doubts that Martin had much to do with the Honda connection...

[Coral]

Well I don't miss Whitmarsh. Not at all. Now that Ron is back, and they have a wonderful new young driver in the shape of K-Mag, McLaren are on their way back to the top and I can support them once again. Happy days!

[0Fritz]

To counter each point here:

 

1. Yes, the timing was odd. Agree

 

2. Based on previous discussions we have had on this, the budget is TP's responsibility. Therefore, MW not having a budget is of his own making

 

3. Works Honda is arriving next year, and, if anything, having a new structure underway before that partnership is activated is a wise sporting/business decision

 

4. The TP didn't produce the car. The team under the TP did. Todays results had a lot to do with the car, yes, but it had a lot to do with strategy and driver choices

 

Having said all this, I fully understand why you and other people dislike Ron, and you guys are fully entitled to your opinion. However, just like my points of view are in favour towards them, it does come across as though your point of view is designed to be skewed against him. 

 

Funny that you mention driver choices. With Dennis proven record of telling 'untruth's' (to put it mildly), I tend to believe Whitmarsh account of the facts: he and not Dennis decided to hire Magnussen.

 

This, after Whitmarsh number one choice, one Lewis Hamilton, got chased away by Dennis because he couldnt give him a promise of keeping win trophies. Lewis Hamilton or Magnussen...hmmm. 

[f1rules]

i have to agree, everything magnussen and his father said prior to this takeover, points towards it was mw's decision

[mclarensmps]

McLaren never let their drivers keep their trophies. They didn't change this policy for anyone, as far as I can remember. That's not the reason why Lewis decided not to re-sign, although, I do understand that it is well reported that Denis had a massive, if not instrumental part in Lewis leaving.

 

Also, I love how you are judging Magnussen vs Lewis based on name, alone. Lewis was an "untested Rookie" when he began, just as is Magnussen.

 

Who you choose to believe regarding decisions,is your choice, and nothing I can argue here will change that.

 

Suffice to say, no man in power is going to give you truths all the time, so, really it's just a matter of perceptions and impressions that make you decide who you wish to believe. 

 

I choose Ron, you choose Martin. No shame in either, but all points of view should be laid on the table

[Coral]

I never thought that Lewis left McLaren because of the trophies. I was under the impression it was more to do with Lewis's being overloaded with PR duties and disagreements over his travel to and from Los Angeles. Also I think that Lewis felt that after several years at McLaren it was time to move on.

[garoidb]

Funny that you mention driver choices. With Dennis proven record of telling 'untruth's' (to put it mildly), I tend to believe Whitmarsh account of the facts: he and not Dennis decided to hire Magnussen.

 

This, after Whitmarsh number one choice, one Lewis Hamilton, got chased away by Dennis because he couldnt give him a promise of keeping win trophies. Lewis Hamilton or Magnussen...hmmm. 

 

Hmmm indeed. Only time will tell.

 

With Ron Dennis's return, is there any chance Dave Ryan will also be back?

[Lazy]

Well, lazy misses Martin because of the bromance with our lovely Jenson, nothing more, nothing less.

I however have my doubts that Martin had much to do with the Honda connection...

It was Ron that signed Jenson.

 

Really? Based on what?

[RuleyRamundo]

Ron has already surpassed Witlessmarsh of last year with today's result. What a legend RD really is. A magic wand is what RD got for Christmas.

[jjcale]

No podiums for a whole year ... then suddenly, like London Buses, here come two at the same time.  

[Lazy]

Ron has already surpassed Witlessmarsh of last year with today's result. What a legend RD really is. A magic wand is what RD got for Christmas.

Sadly some will really believe that.

[RuleyRamundo]

Sadly some will really believe that.

We all do, no? lol.

[Petroltorque]

I think there was a perfect illustration of Ron's thought process this weekend. During Jenny Gow's grid walk she asked him; 'will you be sitting on the Pit wall?' Ron; 'No I will be only be observing the the teams practices' How long did it take for him to ensconce himself on the perch? I'm sure Ron already sees himself as team principle. It's only a matter of time before he makes his appointment.

[peroa]

I doubt it, he is just making clear that the boat is steered in the right direction, they were terribly of course the past couple of years....

[mclarensmps]

Ron has already surpassed Witlessmarsh of last year with today's result. What a legend RD really is. A magic wand is what RD got for Christmas.

 

That's just misleading on almost every level...

[LuckyStrike1]

Ron has already surpassed Witlessmarsh of last year with today's result. What a legend RD really is. A magic wand is what RD got for Christmas.

 

Yes, that is EXACTLY how it works! 

[halifaxf1fan]

Magnusson and Button should be thanking Martin (wherever he is?!) for delivering such a marvelous car, easy podiums for both in the first outing of the season no less.  Hopefully Dennis will stay clear of the garage this season and not ruin Whitmarsh's good works.  Also Martin chose a good driver in Magnusson.

 

Ps. Also do my eyes deceive me or has the lizardly Ron Dennis put on some weight?  Perhaps this explains Whitmarsh's disappearance - Dennis has swallowed him whole!

Edited by halifaxf1fan, 16 March 2014 - 19:57.

[pup]

 

the car said TP has just produced turns out to be very good.

 

It's the third best car, at best.  For McLaren, that's not a 'very good' car.   Only in the context of last year's disaster might it seem that way.

[Nicktendo86]

What made me laugh is there was CLEARLY no seat for Ron but he couldn't help himself lol. Love it!

[jjcale]

It's the third best car, at best.  For McLaren, that's not a 'very good' car.   Only in the context of last year's disaster might it seem that way.

 

Exactly!

 

Under Whitmarsh Macca focused too much on image and not enough on fundamentals....so now everything is spun and folks (many of of whom are JB fans or just plain Ron haters ... but who have never been real Macca fans) believe its OK to be "there or thereabouts" ...The hard culture of excellence that Ron demands needs to be reinstilled at Macca (and also in Macca's fans ... even the ones who are just along for the ride whilst JB is with the team). 

[peroa]

Amen...

[Longtimefan]

 McLaren are on their way back to the top and I can support them once again. Happy days!

 

So...  you only support a team when it's capable of winning?

 

incredible..

Edited by Longtimefan, 16 March 2014 - 20:43.

[Peter Perfect]

Exactly!

 

Under Whitmarsh Macca focused too much on image and not enough on fundamentals....so now everything is spun and folks (many of of whom are JB fans or just plain Ron haters ... but who have never been real Macca fans) believe its OK to be "there or thereabouts" ...The hard culture of excellence that Ron demands needs to be reinstilled at Macca (and also in Macca's fans ... even the ones who are just along for the ride whilst JB is with the team). 

 

To be honest I'm still trying to work out where all the Real McLaren Fans™ disappeared to last year. 

[Amanda1978]

To be honest I'm still trying to work out where all the Real McLaren Fans™ disappeared to last year. 

 

I'm a real McLaren fan, and I stuck it out  

It wasn't the best year to be a McLaren fan and it was disappointing to see how much they wen't backwards, but I still enjoyed the season and the 2 races I attended.  I just had to suck it up and I did.

[pacificquay]

I've been a McLaren fan for more than 20 years and supported them just as much in the poor seasons as the good ones.

 

Anyone who is a fair-weather supporter can frankly get to ****!

[BRG]

What made me laugh is there was CLEARLY no seat for Ron but he couldn't help himself lol. Love it!

The man is a proper racer, with real passion and love for our sport, not a 'businessman' like some of the others.  Of course he couldn't help himself.  Could you have resisted the temptation to be on the spot as your team's brand new lad headed for a debut podium?

[Lazy]

It's the third best car, at best.  For McLaren, that's not a 'very good' car.   Only in the context of last year's disaster might it seem that way.

 

"we seem capable of fighting every team except one."  JB

 

He's not known for making exaggerated claims.

Edited by Lazy, 17 March 2014 - 10:20.

[Coral]

So...  you only support a team when it's capable of winning?

 

incredible..

What?! That's not what I meant at all. Red Bull are capable of winning and I don't support them. McLaren were capable of winning the WDC in 2012 but they squandered it thanks to their incompetence. And I believe they treated Lewis Hamilton badly. But that's all in the past now...hopefully now that Ron is back McLaren can return to being the team they were.

[oetzi]

 

3. Works Honda is arriving next year, and, if anything, having a new structure underway before that partnership is activated is a wise sporting/business decision

Just a thought, but I wonder if Honda had any influence over this? I've worked with and been friends with a lot of Japanese people, and they tend to value pre-existing personal relationships, past results and direct relationships with the most senior people within an organisation very highly. Ron would tick all these boxes for them.

[Dolph]

No wonder Ron is stepping in after 2013:

• Losing Lewis Hamilton meant no top 3 driver for McLaren
• Appaling race results resulting in a worst ever season in 30 years
• No title sponsor in place

One could say things are rather falling appart

 

 

 

Dolph wanted a top three.

 

I agree Hulk would (still could) have been a brilliant choice but he doesn't fit Dolph's criteria.

 

But I can promise you Alonso does.
 

 

Still no title sponsor though

 

As for the race results... I guess we'll have to see.

[Knot]

McLaren never let their drivers keep their trophies. They didn't change this policy for anyone, as far as I can remember. That's not the reason why Lewis decided not to re-sign, although, I do understand that it is well reported that Denis had a massive, if not instrumental part in Lewis leaving.

 

RD is good at a great many things, however, relationships with drivers isn't one of them. I imagine FA's new contract with McLaren is at least 80,000 pages long, 79,999 of which outline exactly what meddling RD can and can't do with regards to FA.

[micktosin]

Only time would tell if his return as a CEO is a success, but so far its looking promising for the future of McLaren. Whatever our opinion of the Ron as an individual, you have to give him credit for the restructuring of the team.   

[B3ndy]

Only time would tell if his return as a CEO is a success, but so far its looking promising for the future of McLaren. Whatever our opinion of the Ron as an individual, you have to give him credit for the restructuring of the team.   

 

Ron is clearly a CEO that likes to take charge and direct the ship. However in any business you are only as good as the team you have, Ron isn't implementing the changes, but his biggest contribution is the hires he's made to make it happen.