We all know that Ron Dennis, the CEO of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team will be retiring in a matter of time, what struck me is that if Lewis Hamilton or Heikki Kovalainen were to win the championship, the former being most likely, would this be the last ever championship that McLaren would win?
It can be said that Ron Dennis has been the glue that's kept McLaren as the team and not sold off to the highest automotive bidder that would re-brand and rename the team to their liking.
Whilst the rumour of his impending retirement is untrue, he did say something along the lines that he'll retire when his driver and team wins a championship.
So now, this got me thinking, what would life at McLaren be like after Ron Dennis?
Well, rumour has it that his corporate protege in Martin Whitmarsh would take the reins.
Now, Martin's intentions are all good, and he is a character of good-standing, let's make that clear before we move on.
However, Martin Whitmarsh does not appear to be an opponent to a takeover of the McLaren team by close partner and engine supporter Mercedes-Benz.
As a matter of fact, he was quoted on the eve of the German Grand Prix as "the fact that they (Mercedes-Benz) would like to acquire control is a healthy ambition."
The stage has been set, Ron Dennis has retired to a life of solitude and peace after his driver protege, Lewis Hamilton won a championship and McLaren has won a constructor's championship. What happens?
To start off, Martin Whitmarsh is the number one guy at the team now. He makes the big decisions. Him and Norbert Haug, the vice-president of Mercedes-Benz motorsport, are close.
One day, Haug realizes that since Whitmarsh has control of Ron Dennis' shares of McLaren, and Mansour Ojjeh is not 100% comfortable with the new head of the McLaren team, this is the golden opportunity to make the team into Mercedes-Benz F1.
Martin Whitmarsh decides to give up his stake, which is approximately 15%, in the team for a big payout. Now that Mercedes-Benz has acquired their majority, it's officially the silver star team.
By the next season, the team has been re-branded to the Mercedes-Benz Formula One team. The person in charge is now a German fellow who has been airlifted from corporate. He is not a Mario Theissen character and thus does not hold the same regard for his team than Dr. Theissen does.
McLaren is now what the team is formerly known as, and any sort of indication of the past is probably the moniker that TV commentators give.
When it comes to racing, it will be a different story for the team. While Mercedes-Benz continues to think ahead and develop new technologies, they will not necessarily be at the front because of the changeover in people.
Thankfully, this is just a theoretical way of looking at the takeover of McLaren, and who knows, if Mercedes-Benz were to buy out McLaren, it might be very different...
7 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Tony Scicluna 10 months ago
Forget it. No matter how strong the Mercedes Brand is in F1. The McLaren brand is bigger (in F1 of course) and is respected in Formula 1 circles . McLaren will be there forever. Ron Dennis' eventual retirement has been in the pipeline for quite a while now but he always insisted that he is only a chapter in McLaren's glorious history (admittedly thanks in no small terms to the great man himself).
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Stuart Baird 10 months ago
but Mercedes carries the advertising might of the giant corporations. the motorsport heritage of McLaren is very strong, but Mercedes has the facilities and the backing to keep the team going indefinately.
it would also cause a huge rift in the Mercedes/BMW race. who would win Germany's honours?
i dont think that Mclaren would fall apart over night, but we could see a change over the following season's that shows they are slowly dis-intergrating, if Ron does retire.
interesting idea tho. as a Ferrari fan, it could be something to look forward to! lol
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Michael Griffin 10 months ago
When I was at Silverstone I was chatting to Whitmarsh, and he said that there is apparently some mysterious clause that means that the McLaren name must remain in F1. He was confused and so was I, so who knows what will happen.
Great article though mate, as always, Pick and stars of course.
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Ryan Wood 10 months ago
I read something about this, I'll try and find it, but it was ages ago.
Something about the Mclaren name has to stay in F1, im not sure if it included the actual team.
I shall look into it.
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Anne Doe 10 months ago
Does it mean the name just has to be kept, or will it mean the team will always have to be based ast Woking and at least have a say in developing the car etc.
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Ryan Wood 10 months ago
from what I read I think its the name, but im not 100% sure.
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Anne Doe 10 months ago
Wow that motorhome is absolutely monsterous!
Mercedes, when they do finally take total control may keep the McLaren name, like BMW kept the Sauber part.
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