World champion Lewis Hamilton was surprised that his mentor Ron Dennis had decided to step away from Formula One but said the former McLaren team principal would always play a part in his life.
With the team in turmoil after being found guilty of misleading the stewards at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Dennis announced on Thursday that he would no longer play any part in the Formula One operation.
“I wasn’t disappointed, I was surprised. I hadn’t heard about it, I was just as surprised as the rest of the team,” he said at the Chinese Grand Prix on Friday.
Dennis has mentored Hamilton since the driver was 13 years old, transforming him from a confident young karter into the youngest Formula One world champion.
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Hamilton, however, has been clearly disgruntled since the incident in Melbourne and his relationship with Dennis was rumoured to be on the rocks. Yahoo! Eurosport
“Ron always loves a challenge so I think he will find this is positive for him,” Lewis said.
“Ron has been a huge force and support in my life and he still plays a key role in my life.”
“Whether or not he is in the team or not, I think you guys have been writing about it for years that as soon as he gets to a certain stage he will move aside. I guess, I don’t know why, he decided to do it now.”
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Hamilton said he had not spoken to Dennis about the move, but expected he would do so in the future. AFP
61-year-old Dennis - who insists that the timing of his departure from F1 was “purely coincidental” - admitted his absence may well be welcomed by two of F1’s biggest names.
“I admit I’m not always easy to get on with. I admit I’ve always fought hard for McLaren in Formula 1,” he said.
“I doubt if [FIA president] Max Mosley or [F1 commercial rights holder] Bernie Ecclestone will be displeased by my decision.”
Martin Whitmarsh has also suggested that Dennis’ departure may improve the team’s standing with the FIA. BBC Sport
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