McLaren to make major announcement

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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

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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78 comments on “McLaren to make major announcement”

  1. Aquatic Mammal
    16th April 2009, 9:16

    If Ron takes the fall for McLaren it will be a crying shame. That man has done more for the sport over the years than can easily be reckoned and does not deserve to depart in ignominity.

    As for Anthony Hamilton, he would do well to remember who put him and his son where they are today. It certainly wasn’t his new buddy Max Mosely.

    1. Spot on.

      He had nothing to do with the controversy in Australia, and neither did Martin Whitmarsh. Now Anthony Hamilton thinks he can muscle him out of his own team?

  2. I think it is outrageous that the Hamilton’s can dictate what Ron Dennis must do. Without him they would never have got into F1. Ron is the person that Lewis approached all these years ago and said he wanted to drive for, and now just two years after entering F1 they are trying to push him out of his own team!! McLaren is Ron Dennis, without him it’s going to spiral downward and in a few years when Mercedes pull out and go to BrawnGP. McLaren will be history, or worse a back marker team.

    1. @Derek… Agreed… it’s a sad day!

    2. Post-announcement: we are not sure that the Hamiltons are dictating anything, to be honest.

      This is clearly an announcement that has been coming for months. No way could the restructure and the recruitment of Lapthorne have been undertaken in the brief period since the Australian GP.

      This is McLaren diversifying away from the risky business of F1 and adopting a business model closer to Ferrari’s. As such may be very bad news for F1, as one of its major players seems unsure about its future viability. Read our full thoughts here: http://tinyurl.com/c27vq7

  3. Mussolini's Pet Cat
    16th April 2009, 9:30

    good timing Ron.

  4. How is Hamilton pushing Ron Dennis out?

  5. What a shame… I feel myself losing a lot of respect for the Hamilton family almost every week.

    As for Ron Dennis, that man is a legend of F1. With a career like his, this will be no way to leave the sport and is an incredible shame.

    1. You never know what goes on behind closed doors, but it seems all the integrity and sportmanship that Ron & McLaren held in high regard has gone out the window since Lewis (and Anthony) arrived… I’ve never seen a situation within a team change so much, and for it to be McLaren & Ron Dennis was nigh on unthinkable just a few years ago.

      This is a very sad day for the sport and for a man who has given so much and with enormous integrity and well being. Ron, without you Formula 1 is and will never be the same, you brought so much respect in an arena of conspiracy. May be the time is right for you to get out while you can still hold your head high, I wish you all the best in your new role.

      Looking forward to reading your biography, mostly for what came before Lewis to be honest.

  6. I find this hard to believe.
    The other time, the Sun said Hamilton had spoken with Mosley, the team denied such had ever occurred. Mercedes would just sit back and allow their shareholdings to become diluted?
    As far as I’m concerned this is just smear campaign on the Hamilton Family.

    1. Totally agree with this. Especially considering the news sources.
      Ron has been in the process of moving away from his F1 role for nearly 2 seasons now.
      The press is trying to turn this into some battle of characters.
      Even if Anthony Hamilton was to ask Ron to step aside – which I sincerely don’t believe he would – Ron would probably go and tell him play with some go-karts…
      I think I’m one of the biggest Lewis Hamilton fans out there but I would never consider him or any other driver to be above Ron Dennis in any way!
      Let Ron retire from F1 in peace! A fully paid up legend in Formula 1 if ever there was one…
      I look forward to the evolution of McLaren Automotive.

  7. Dougie, if you’ve been following F1 for a number of years, you will know by now that the English press had never had a kind word for Ron Dennis.

    1. Hi Oliver, you’re absolutely right of course but, although I’ve been watching the sport since the very early eighties, I’m not one for reading the papers. ;)

  8. I’m not sure i would put a lot of faith in what the Times newspaper is claiming.

    Maybe ron dennis is moving aside to lessen the impact for Mcalren at the wmsc at the end of the month, everybody knows mosley and dennis hate each other.

    My feeling is two fold, one is as i said above he is trying to distance himself from mclaren to avoid a huge penalty. Or two he is stepping away from mcaren to maybe be the one to go against mosley for the presidency of the FIA.

    I know he said in the past that a team boss was not the one to be president, but he may have been persuaded by others in Fota to do just that.

    If Ron is not going for the presidency then he is gonna be relinqueshing his role in FOTA too i wonder.

    I personally can’t say i have ben a big fn of mclaren over the years, or of ron dennis. BUt maybe he is one of the people who could maybe do some good in the FIA. Depends on whether he would get enough support from the clubs.

    I could be totally wrong about Ron dennis’ reasons. Maybe it’s for personal issues.

    I guess we’l find out soon.

    Oh and as far as the Hamiltons are concerned i highly doubt they would have enough clout to oust Dennis from mclaren. I mean dennis IS mclaren.

  9. Its not Lewis that is responsible for Dennis’ problems. Why for one were the FIA (Max), demanding that Dennis resign during the spygate affair so the team could go unpunished. During that incident, Hamilton was shown to not have played any part in it.

  10. It could simply be smack talk by the Hamilton’s in order to try get out of Mclaren and into a better team. Justifying their reasons well before they make a decision.

  11. Terry Fabulous
    16th April 2009, 10:21

    Why would Dennis leave?

    If Anthony Hamilton’s Son has such as issue with him, then goodbye and goodluck.

    There are a bucket load of very VERY good drivers who will be there to take his seat, every bit as fast as Anthony Hamilton’s son and the team won’t lose too much.

    Anthony Hamilton’s Son can go and try finding another seat with long term prospects as strong as McLaren.

    1. Can’t help thinking McLaren let the wrong one go in 2007… with the other on board, as number 1, the car would have been developed and driven within an inch of its life to dominate for years to come… certainly a threat to Schumi’s records.

      Let’s face it most, if not all, the greats veteod their potential teammates.

    2. Aquatic Mammal
      16th April 2009, 14:56

      But notably not at McLaren

  12. Terry Fabulous
    16th April 2009, 10:23

    Sorry but there comes a time when you need to become your own man, and not just your Father’s little puppet.

    CMON LEWIS! MAN UP!!!

    1. His dad is also his manager.

    2. Terry Fabulous
      17th April 2009, 2:02

      Yes but is he managed by a man who happens to be his father, or is he managed by his father, who happens to be his manager.

      Keith I firmly believe that any young person cannot truly become a man or woman until they have left the nest and the reassuring wing of their parents. For some this happens quite early due to neglect or tragedy removing adult figures from their lives at a young age. They need to move out on their own, strike forward and forge a new relationship with their parents as a parent and adult, not parent and child.

      Look at the number of tennis players, many of whom start playing at a very young age, that still move around the circuit with their parents in a parent and child relationship. It is not until they move forward alone that they…. grow up!

      Compare the relationship that Mark Webber and his parents have compared to Lewis and his parents. Both parents have supported their sons their entire lives but Webber spent some years living away from them, making his own day to day decisions and fending for himself. He is his own man.

      Is Lewis his Father’s son or his Father’s child?

  13. Wonderful that the great Ron Dennis, a man of legendary achievement, should withdraw himself from contact with Mosley’s FIA. He will still be there at McLaren towering over them setting the standards for the whole group but away from any need to listen to their nonsense.
    I doubt if Anthony Hamilton had anything to do with this decision. This is the mainstream media winding everyone up and since when have they got anything right.
    Hopefully Ron should be put up for a major honour soon. Now that would please Max.

  14. If Hamilton becomes responsible for Ron Dennis leaving F1 I will lose a lot of respect for him. Dennis hadn’t even been mentioned in association with the Australia result before now.

  15. This is the first I have heard of rumours that Ron Dennis and the Hamiltons do not get on, did anyone else hear anything about this before The Times article because I have a hard time believing it?

    I am a McLaren and Hamilton fan, while I doubt the rumours are true, if Hamilton did start being disloyal to McLaren, for me it would damage his reputation more than what happened in Australia.

    The rumours I read on other sites about the announcement were that Dennis would cut his ties completely with the F1 team and concentrate fully on other areas of the McLaren Group such as road car projects.

    Since this is only a few months after Dennis has already changed his roles in the group you could look at it a few ways. Either the present situation is not working as well as they thought it would so best to change it as soon as possible, he may be stepping down to try to lessen any penalty from the FIA, or may just feel he wants a change in his life.

    For a few years people have suggested he was considering retirement and was just waiting for McLaren to win another title before he stood down, and with his announcement in January I can’t say it would be a great surprise if he did cut all formal ties with F1.

  16. Dennis has quit it is on the BBC website

  17. Sad to see Ron gone. But it comes as no surprise, it’s likely that he did for the team. The Hamilton’s could not remove him. Just the press making a meal of it.

  18. BYE BYE RON! unlike everyone else here i wont miss you.

  19. RD ousted by the Hamiltons – utterly disgraceful and a really sad end to a great career. How he must wish that trouble-making, self-righteous chav never stepped foot in one of his cars.

    And how different it could have been if Alsono had been given the backing that a WDC deserves..

  20. Go Renault 09"
    16th April 2009, 12:46

    I would be expecting to see poor old ron walking oddly being that has a huge axe sticking out of his back courtesy of one Mr hamilton. Sad Sad Sad story but not surprised when i hear bad news that it’s got lewis involved did no one tell the hamiltons not to bite the hand that feeds them??
    I would rather see them hold a press conferance to announce lewis is leaving F1. certainly am enjoying him being brought back down to earth this year with a thud!!

  21. Hmmm, Keith not sure about the angle on this. Comes across as very sensationalist. Could be I’m influenced by my own support for both the Hamiltons, Ron Dennis and McLaren in general.
    ‘The Times’ quote I have no faith in whatsoever – it’s a red top masquerading as a broadsheet but seems to form the basis of your article.
    The Telegraph quote – a paper I tend to respect (but not align myself with) – is innocuous and not completely unexpected as well as totally harmless. Certainly in the context of the article.
    Can you elaborate as to why you felt this was a good basis for this report on Ron Dennis moving on to new challenges?

    1. To quote the great man himself:

      I admit I’m not always easy to get on with. I admit I’ve always fought hard for McLaren in Formula One. I doubt if Max Mosley or Bernie Ecclestone will be displeased by my decision. But no one asked me to do it. It was my decision.

      “Equally, I was the architect of today’s restructure of the McLaren Group. Again, no-one asked me to do it. It was my decision.

    2. Because it was a news story that was about to break and already there were competing explanations for why it was happening.

      I don’t think what I’ve written is sensationalist in the slightest.

  22. “I doubt if (FIA president) Max Mosley or (F1 supremo) Bernie Ecclestone will be displeased by my decision.”

    Ron Dennis

  23. Hmmm. I dont believe for a second the Hamiltons have that much sway. I lend myself more the notion that Ron is preparing himself to go for FIA presidency. Ron is an extremely clever man, and ousting Max and taking his job would be almost as hilarous as the spanking pictures were.

  24. It depends what you define as ‘gone’.
    He left the job of Team Principle in January, giving it to Whitmarsh. This is old news.
    Now he is heading the McLaren Automotive ventures into supercars, and so still has strong connections with the Company, if not the Team.
    Which shows that Big Ron and McLaren are both bigger than Formula 1.
    Also, doesn’t this echo Jean Todt’s move over to the Sportscar division of Ferrari? Are the two great men now going to be rivals in the Showroom and on the Motorway?
    And maybe even ALMS and Le Mans?

  25. Well as a Diehard McLaren fan it is very sad to hear this. And I can only but wonder if this is the start of the end of McLaren F1 as we know it

  26. This is indeed a sad day for me & for every fan of the Mc team! I fear so much for lewis today unlike any other day! Today’s news has surely started the very clock to Lewis’s exit from the Mc team!

    1. Why? Just because of the so called trumped up ‘lies’ scandal?
      I sincerely do not see anything to indicate Lewis is about to walk away from McLaren.

  27. U might just be right psynrg…but remember & quote me on this…Lewis owes so much NOT to the Mc team BUT to Ron, who’s been so intrumental all the way from the very beggining. He raced not just for himself, his passion & his family…but for the Man wh gave him the very ample opportunity that every kart younglin who so much desire to have! What say you pSynrg?

    1. I agree with every word Kutigz. Ron Dennis to me – and I’m sure to many others – is a shining example of how to conduct oneself at the highest level of business, management and PR.

      He is the one that gave Lewis the opportunity – an opportunity the Hamilton’s have always shown themselves to be grateful for and of course have dedicated themselves to making the most of.

      McLaren will always be Ron’s team – and I feel that Lewis and indeed Anthony Hamilton will always give their due respect no matter who is at the helm.

      The recent minor blip in the ‘fairy tale’ is nothing compared to the enormous achievement they together as a team have achieved since Ron took Lewis up on the offer and integrated him into the McLaren family.

      There’s many a nay-sayer when it comes to Lewis. He is the WDC and he will be in everyone’s firing line at every opporunity. But I’m confident in Lewis Hamilton as well as Anthony Hamilton that the opportunity Ron Dennis gave them will be repayed with loyalty to Ron’s team to the end.

  28. Toby Thwaites 93
    16th April 2009, 14:40

    Now all we need is to get rid of Lewis.
    Liar + cheater

    1. I can’t think of many Champions who weren’t.

      You’ll have to go a long way to find a bigger Schumi fan than me but even I’ll admit the guy would happily cross any line to win and I could give you numerous examples of him lying & cheating.

      From what I’ve read Alonso was up to his neck in Spygate so wouldn’t that make him a liar & cheat too ?

      I could go on for a while about other drivers but I think you get the point, everyone in F1 lies & cheats. If we got rid of all the liars & cheats we’d be left with no-one racing.

  29. Sorry to see Ron leave the F1 fold. He should be up for a Knighthood. Maybe persons in control should be leaving the F1 circus and not Team Principals.

    1. You nominate him, and I’ll second it………..arise Sir Ron

  30. He shud have quit over the spy saga…..Mclaren full of liars.Do doubt that the disciple(HAM,MW) follow the foot path their leader(Ron).

  31. I hope Liar Lewis is proud of himself. Not only has he proved that is a dishonest cheater but, with the help of his daddy, he managed to oust Ron Dennis from Mclaren.
    Mclaren should have let the liar walk. The ingrate would have done so sooner or later so why lose Dennis in the process?

    Dennis is just another one of the hamiltons’ victims, just like Alonso was in Hungary two years ago, and doubtless countless others as long as the hamiltons are allowed to stay in F1.
    The FIA should ban the hamiltons and let mclaren get on with it and find a driver who isn’t a backstabbing ingrate

  32. I’ve never seen this article before now, and am sure you Lewis fans will spout the usual nonsense about racism, the Times being rubbish (I have no opinion on that), negative english press having a go etc etc, but I’ve yet to read a more logical and concise view of the whole “lie-gate” scenario.

    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/matthew_syed/article6054328.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1

    Well said that man.

    1. Yes, but this guy also wrote:

      “Max Mosley has performed sterling service to the FIA over the course of his 16-year presidency, but by far his most important contribution has been his dignified, reasoned and, at times, impassioned defence of individual liberty in the teeth of bigotry and intolerance over the past 12 months.”

      I find that the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever read about Spanky so I’ve got to say I question the guys intelligence & journalistic integrity.
      He’s witting the opinions of Rupert Murdoch, that’s all.

  33. Oh for heaven’s sake what a load of absolute gumph!

    CJD & Scunnyman – Agree with you both 100%

    1/ R’s been preparing to go for ages and this is indeed old news

    2/ I’ve never heard anything about Ron and the Hamiltons not getting on before today – it’s obvious how much respect LH has for him – without him he’d never be where he is today – he owes him his whole career!

    3/ As always this is all speculation with no real facts – R said twice ‘this was my decision, no one asked me to do it’ so why not believe him? He’s an incredibly powerful and well respected man – why on earth would he let himself be bullied by some driver’s Dad?!

    4/ Yes LH’s reputation was badly damaged by the liargate scandal and I wouldn’t be surprised if Anthony Hamilton is furious about it as it’s his son’s reputation on the line, however, Dave Ryan’s taken the fall and surely that’s the end of it ? How many questionable moments did Schumi manage to chalk up in his career and they’ve all been forgiven and forgotten – at the end of the day he was an amazing driver and that is what people will remember most about LH too.

    So long and good luck to Ron – I’m sure we’ll still see a lot of him and if he did end up taking MM’s job then I for one would be grinning like mad!

    1. Excellent post.

    2. Good post Tabs!

    3. Cheers Tabs, I’ve been trying to say words to such effect all day but you have said it right!

    4. Totally agree – top post! It seems some people just can’t resist giving the Hamiltons a good kicking. As if all the other drivers, teams and team bosses are completely beyond reproach. The respect that Ron and Lewis/Anthony have for each other seems pretty obvious to me.

    5. HounslowBusGarage
      16th April 2009, 21:00

      100% agree.

    6. I agree also – excellent post. The anti-Hamiltons will take one minor ubsubstantiated comment and run with it to back up their prejudices against them. Conveniently ignoring everything that contradicts their point.

      I would love to know why people think that Ron could be ousted by the Hamiltons. He’s been team principle since 1981 and outlasted plenty of big name drivers. If he wanted to stay, then I’m sure he would. So what leverage would the Hamiltons have against him and why?

  34. What a bunch of negative nancies! There is no proof that the Hamiltons had anything to do with Ron Dennis leaving.

    I’d say it’s more that Dennis is just fed up with the whole crap. I don’t really enjoy F1 much anymore myself, let alone someone who is up to his knees in this ****.

    BTW The team made Lewis “lie”. Also, listen to what Coulthard had to say. All drivers present the situation as favourably for themselves. Trulli told about a dozen lies about the situation too. But then, Trulli had the good sense to stick with his lies (or change them to suit the changing situation as it unfolded). As long as you maintain the lie you get away with it. I see people who still believe that Schumacher didn’t lie about the Rascasse incident at Monaco. Simply because he didn’t admit it.

  35. McLaren is not to blaim. The Stewards are !!
    If they made the correct descission in melbourne right away, nothing would have happend. This is just going ape.

  36. http://www.planetf1.com/ : ‘Whitmarsh, however, has denied rumours of tension between departing CEO Dennis and the Hamiltons, adding that claims that the 24-year-old would be leaving McLaren were also untrue.

    “I haven’t asked Lewis what his relationship is with Ron, but I don’t think it’s quite as you’re characterising it,” he told Autosport.

    “I told Lewis half an hour ago what was happening. I think he naturally has a certain amount of affection for Ron. We all do. I didn’t detect any different human reactions other than what I would have expected from someone who has known Ron as long as Lewis has known Ron.

    “I think he has certainly expressed his support for this team consistently, and he has very kindly expressed his support for me. I think and I hope that I have a good relationship with Lewis and I think he is committed just as we are to restoring the good fortunes and competitiveness of this team in the future.” ‘

  37. Mussolini's Pet Cat
    16th April 2009, 17:48

    Looks like Keith hasn’t given up the day job. Big story with Ron going and no headline here.

  38. Bigbadderboom
    16th April 2009, 18:15

    Thank-you Ron and all you have done for F1.

    I personally can’t help but think that the liargate scandal has moved forward a decision Ron would have taken in the near future anyway. As said here already, its a sideways move similar to Jean Todts at Ferrari. Anybody believing this has anything to do with a Hamiltons motivated plan must surley be wearing their best “I hate lewis” tinted sunglasses!

    I’m not do sure this will do anything to protect McLaren in the FIA enquiry into liargate, Dave Ryan has already taken the bullet as best as anyone can, and for the FIA to demand Martin Whitmarsh’s head as would be out of proportion. For me this is more about restructering at McLaren and the remodeling of their business to protect them against the current (and any future) economic storm.

    Anyway you look at it Ron still owns 15% of McLaren and the only thing that changes now is he is personally less answerable to the FIA.

    Good luck Ron

  39. One cannot help but be reminded of the complete disaster which was McLaren’s relationship with Fernando Alonso and this latest crisis the team has found itself in. In both cases, Lewis Hamilton and his father play starring roles.
    It was easy for many in 2007, enchanted with this young rookie whose ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ persona which was pure McLaren, to pin the teams woes on Fernando Alonso. As time has gone by, and more information becomes known, I think it is safe to say that the Hamiltons are now being seen in their ‘true’ light.
    If you can cast your minds back to Monaco 2007, a race inwhich McLaren dominated with ease, and a race inwhich Hamilton was apparently ordered to cool off his attempts to challenge Alonso for the lead.
    This, if rumours are to be believed, began the end of Alonso’s relationship with McLaren. In some circles, it was portrayed as if Fernando had been ‘gifted’ the victory by Hamilton being told to back off.
    Enter into the equation, Hamilton’s behaviour at Hungary weeks later which led to the now infamous antics in the pits, inwhich Alonso caught far more of the flack than Hamilton.
    At the end of the day, this business is for ruthless people, and the Hamiltons are ruthless. Ron Dennis, for years, prided his team in its abilities to handle
    fiery drivers, in some cases, partnerships.
    We all know now that Ron Dennis failed in his attempts to reign in Alonso, how much the Hamiltons played in this will never be know, unless Ron writes a book in a few years time.
    What rankles so many is that McLaren have always
    presented themselves as ‘squeeky clean’ compared to their bitter rivals Ferrari. The truth is far more different than that they have tried, and failed, to
    portray.
    With Ron Dennis leaving, as it would appear, McLaren
    maybe hoping to firm up relations with Mosley and the FIA, and those with the Hamilton family.
    I would warn them though, that Ron Dennis maybe not be the problem! Ferrari thought, mistakenly, that they could survive without Ross Brawn and have been proven wrong. Maybe in five years time, F1 will be graced with a Dennis Gp team? Will McLaren be watching from the wings, wishing they had Dennis back, as his cars challenge for wins whilst theirs flounder? Its perfectly possible, especially if running costs are kept down.
    At the end of the day, this is because McLaren and Hamilton are not winning. If they were, it would all be
    kisses and cuddles.

    1. I have to disagree with just about everything you say.

    2. i have to agree with pSynrg in disagreeing with you in what you are saying.

      A lot of people seem to forget how ****** off Hamilton was after monaco 2007 so he held up Alonso and would not let him past on the track. What Alonso then did in the pits was way over the top in retribution.
      and of course does everyone forget that Alonso tried to blackmail Ron Dennis with the emails he had. If it had been any other team boss telling the Fia about a driver blackmailing them, then they would have done something about the driver.

      Before this incident i quite admired Alonso, but i cannot condone blackmail.

    3. Indeed. What nonsense. Harping on a completely unsubstantiated rumor to spread all the vitriol on Hamilton that you can dream up?

    4. I completely agree. Much better than the self-righteous sycophancy on show here..

  40. This is an editorial in Timesonline

    “Ask yourself this question: had the stewards not unearthed the deception, do you think that Hamilton would have voluntarily confessed his deceit or offered the theatrical contrition witnessed in that claustrophobic room in Malaysia?”

    “Ask yourself this, too: given what we know about Hamilton — that he is one of the most single-minded drivers to have entered the paddock; that he has been known to defy team orders — was it really beyond him to tell Ryan to take a running jump?”

    At last this newspaper has discovered what the Ham´s are. Ron is also gilty for this. And Max is having in return what he wanted. Next is gonna be Lewis, for not telling the truth during the spygate two years ago.
    These old men (Max and Berni, It sounds like a couple of comics)want the young to be the flag of their sport, they want controversy of course and fighting, but very clean people, and Lewis is not.

    1. And you …

  41. To anyone following this on the sidelines a fantastic interview with Whitmarsh:

    http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74505

    Martin stepping up to the plate very nicely indeed.

  42. After a lot of reading and a fair bit of thought, here’s my take: The explanations for Dennis’s departure

  43. In this age we live in, Barbarians are no longer the scruffy individuals we’ve grown to identify them as, dressed in the hides of goats or sheep and wearing their hair long with a mane for a beard. Neither are they anymore armed with axes or swords, clubs or knifes, rather most barbarians of our age sit quietly behind computers or type writers, armed with nothing more than a keyboard or ink. However the destruction they leave in their wake are no less catastrophic and wanton.

  44. 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?

  45. 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.

  46. Okay Dougie, got your drift. But looking at that Matthew Syed’s face, it does look like he wont like Hamilton very much :-)

    1. I’m sure you’re joking Oliver, and you really cannot be that judgemental of character on seeing just one picture of someone. ;-)

  47. I’m just using my inner psychic powers;-)

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