Dennis betrayed by McLaren

Last week Ron Dennis stepped down as both chairman and chief executive officer of the McLaren Technology Group.

Dennis has been part of the furniture at McLaren since 1980, enjoying all the highs and lows of McLaren down the years.

17 Formula One World Championships, including 10 drivers titles for legends of the sports such as Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton.

But whilst Dennis remains the board of directors at the McLaren Technology Group and retains his shareholding in the company, he was forced to step down from position of power as he was placed on gardening leave until his current contract expires in January 2017.

The move came after the group?s majority shareholders disagreed over Dennis’ management style.

In a statement released on formula1.com McLaren stated: ?Over the past 35 years Ron?s contribution to the success of McLaren has been colossal. During his tenure the team won 17 world championships and 158 Grands Prix, making him the most successful leader in Formula One history. Like the company?s founder, Bruce McLaren, Ron is and will always be one of the true greats of the sport.?

Sky Sports however reported that things were not quite as amicable as McLaren’s statement suggests.

One source and friend of Dennis said he felt ‘betrayed by his own family’.

The 69-year-old could be replaced by 45-year-old American businessman Zak Brown who is a former chief executive of the CSM sport marketing and entertainment group.

He however has also received an offer from Liberty Media, the current minority shareholders of Formula One, but potential majority owners of the sport over the coming months.

Does he want to run a team or run the sport?