After four decades, McLaren's Ron Dennis is gone

Ron Dennis. Pic/getty images

Ron Dennis' four-decade association with McLaren is over after he stood down as chairman of the British team yesterday.
The 70-year-old was placed on garden leave last November after losing a boardroom battle with the team's shareholders. But yesterday, it was announced that Dennis has sold his 25 per cent share in the McLaren Technology Group, officially bringing to an end 37 years at the helm of the Woking-based constructor.

Dennis spearheaded McLaren to nearly 20 Formula One drivers' and constructors'championships, and was instrumental in Lewis Hamilton's career after he signed him in 2007.

McLaren, however, have failed to win a race in nearly five years, and are last in this season's championship despite Fernando Alonso scoring their first points of the campaign in Azerbaijan last Sunday. Dennis said: "I am very pleased to have reached agreement with my fellow McLaren shareholders. It represents a fitting end to my time at McLaren, and will enable me to focus on my other interests. I have always said that my 37 years at Woking should be considered as a chapter in the McLaren book, and I wish McLaren every success."

Dennis, who transformed McLaren into one of the most successful teams in Formula One history, has been among the most influential and important figures in the Formula One paddock for the past four decades. He oversaw Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost's historic tussle for the title as McLaren drivers in 1988 and 1989 before Finnish driver Mika Hakkinen clinched back-to-back championships in 1998 and 1999.