Yes a WDC child ..not bad eh!!! job done. At least Ron didn't feed us with this BS : Mosley set for 2001 retirement Mosley heads off F1 'palace coup' Mosley to seek another term as president Mosley Will Stand For Re-election Mosley to give up FIA presidency in '05 Mosley Will Not Seek Re-Election in 2005 Mosley Could Stand for Re-election Mosley: It Would Have been Wrong to Quit No opposition for Mosley in FIA election Mosley plans quieter life in new term Mosley re-elected as FIA president Mosley not thinking of retirement yet Mosley won't stand for another term Mosley not ruling out staying at the FIA
Most anyone else in his position would have left a year ago after Stepney-gate. In fact save that happening he might have retired then but instead stayed the extra year so as not to be seen as being driven out.
Too bad, he did a great job and built an incredible team that dominated for many years and was very professional. I still think that he got a bad rap on the stepney gate thing, I don't think he was lying, I think (not that it makes it right) that he was out of the loop on that one. Personally, the way he built the team, the facilities, the road car (McLaren F1) he was the closest we got to a British Enzo Ferrari (no disprespect to Colin Chapman). Let the Flames begin.
I am thankful that, unlike Gen. Sternwood in The Big Sleep, I do not yet have to enjoy my vices by proxy.
Dennis was a man who prided himself on his honesty and straight forward dealing. Guess the 2007 season was a kick in the nuts. He must have been planning to retire in 2007 itself after all the trauma but I'm sure he wanted to retire on a high note instead and hence his retirement now. I always thought he was a bit too arrogant but there is no question that he was one of the key pillars in F1 for the past three decades along with Frank Williams and Jean Todt from a manufacturer side. He has left McLaren a strong legacy transforming it from a bit player to a multiple world champion. Happy Retirement Ron!
Ron built an amazing team and raised the bar (and expenses) for everybody. But, he made one critical mistake in my judgement with the McLaren brand -- the SLR. He should have put more of his foot down with Mercedes and the SLR. I really think he hurt the McLaren brand appeal after the fantastic F-1 supercar. It made McLaren seem like another AMG or subdivision of Daimler. Given that they only made 2 road going cars in their history, the follow up to the F-1 should have been something spectacular (or nothing at all) rather than a Mercedes marketing tool. I'm sure this was done to help get continued Mercedes support for the team. But to me, it seemed like a sell out and against the grain of everything I thought about McLaren. By comparison, think of Zonda versus the McLaren SLR. The Zonda uses an AMG engine but no one would think of Zonda as a "Mercedes". Now, think of the SLR. Mercedes all the way. That is certainly a set back for the brand. 20 years from now, the McLaren F-1 will still be in glass showrooms and prized collections as one of the great automotive achievements. The F-1 was something special and unexpected. It was completely over the top with it's racing technology adaptations for street use, outstanding packaging, racing pedigree winning at Le Mans right out of the box, and unbelievable high pricing. In comparison, the SLR seemed plain and ordinary -- irregardless of its technical acheivements. Allowing Mercedes to copy its look into it's cheaper models didn't help either. To me, it was not a good thing for him to let his company image slip away to look like a Mercedes subdivision. But, I am sorry to see him go. He must be very proud of what he accomplished and a lot of talented drivers and mechanics owe him a great amount of gratitude. Now, if he can just convince Max to do the same...
Right on the money, one of the reasons Gordon Murray left McLaren cars was because of the SLR as well. I wonder if the P11 will ever come out in this Economic Climate, as I read, that AMG does not want any of their parts in that car.
I never understood the Ron Dennis bashing. If anyone need bashing due to behaviour over the years, it's Max Mosley. I hoped he'd stepped down back in 2003 for what I can't remember. Ron Dennis is fine. Shame he's stepping down. I also think Stepneygate was bull****. For all McLaren's "fault" in the matter...certainly Ferrari bore quite a bit of blame. Rogue employee Stepney had no control.....and that was the original sin I think....everything else was just follow-through.
Damn I guess i wont be playing Blackjack with him at the $50 table at Crown Casino (Melbourne) anymore That was awesome last year. Had a little chat. I actually didnt even bring up F1, which i felt he appreciated
