McLaren to make major announcement
News that McLaren is to hold a press conference has sparked intense speculation about what they are about to announce.
Today’s Times raises the possibility of Ron Dennis severing his ties with the F1 side of the operation. It claims Dennis was implicated in the Hamilton/Trulli controversy at Melbourne:
Dennis’s decision to step back is also likely to be a consequence of pressure exerted by Anthony Hamilton, the world champion’s father and manager, who does not get on with Dennis. He is believed to have been furious with what he saw as the team selling his son’s reputation to try to gain a single championship point. Relations between the two are said to have reached a point at which Hamilton Sr, and to a lesser extent his son, did not want to continue with McLaren while Dennis was in charge.
Dennis already handed over the leadership of the F1 team to Martin Whitmarsh at the launch of the MP4/24 earlier this year, so would this move make any material difference?
There are other possible interpretations. Are McLaren hoping to improve their prospects at their World Motor Sports Council hearing on April 29 by moving Dennis aside? Is he, like Dave Ryan, being made to shoulder the responsibility for the mistake?
Adding to the intrigue, the Daily Telegraph reports:
It also emerged that Hamilton is to be shielded from the press. Contrary to normal practice, the world champion will not be put up for interview today or tomorrow as the team batten down the hatches ahead of their meeting with the FIA World Motor Sport Council on April 29.
McLaren’s announcement is due later today.
Read more: Ron Dennis at McLaren, 1980-2009
Oliver said on 16th April 2009, 22:29
Dougie, that link you posted of the times, is just an opinion of a writer and not news. I’ve seen lots of different opinions here not all I agree with, not all are even remotely close to fact. I’ve seen enough of journalism to know how a writer uses persuasion and hints to influence his reader.
By the way I seem to remember you saying you’re not one for newspapers, or do you mean print?
Dougie said on 16th April 2009, 22:38
Hi Oliver, I agree with all the points you say, I don’t believe I said anything to the contrary.
All I said in that post is that this is one opinion that I completely agree with.
I don’t read newspapers, but I do read articles that other forum posters have linked to. Occasionally I find one that I completely agree with, more often than not in some way I don’t.
I’m just sharing like you.
Oliver said on 16th April 2009, 23:01
Okay Dougie, got your drift. But looking at that Matthew Syed’s face, it does look like he wont like Hamilton very much :-)
Dougie said on 16th April 2009, 23:06
I’m sure you’re joking Oliver, and you really cannot be that judgemental of character on seeing just one picture of someone. ;-)
Oliver said on 16th April 2009, 23:09
I’m just using my inner psychic powers;-)