18/02/2005
NEWS STORY
Contrary to reports elsewhere, Ron Dennis has not said that his team is preparing to withdraw from Formula One in preparation for a possible switch to a manufacturer-led 'breakaway' series.
Talking to journalists at a pre-season 'meet-the-media' luncheon, Dennis merely hinted that McLaren might not run in 2008 unless there is a level playing field.
"I want to put the company in that sustainable position where it has the choice (whether to compete or not). I want to have that choice," he said.
"I still don't believe there will be two series," he admitted. "At some stage they will come together. Ferrari isn't going to want to race against GP2 cars. At some stage they will have to align themselves with us."
"Transparency and impartiality are both critical for us," he continued. "I don't like the feeling like we have a bulls-eye drawn on our back. We're like you journalists. You live in fear of having your FOCA passes withdrawn. Companies are not coming into Formula One until they feel that it has the right values and behaviour."
He admitted that he believes the major manufacturers are now totally committed to supplying affordable engines for 2006. Furthermore, he is adamant that the teams are aligned and that they want a transparent and fair environment in which to race. However, he insisted that this doesn't mean that the FIA can't be the governing body
Furthermore he revealed that he supports the view that teams should be rewarded for what they bring to Formula One, and that, as an example, Ferrari should be paid more because of their history and heritage
Whilst on the subject of money, Dennis revealed that the company lost money for the first time since 1993 last year - between £2.5m and £4m - but they did pay back a loan on the building of the McLaren Technology Centre, (so that is four fifths is now paid back). He also revealed that the team lost £9.6m on currency alone.
Furthermore, he revealed that Bernie Ecclestone recently let slip to him that Allsport pays $70m for the rights to Grands Prix, before remembering that the teams don't get a share of this.
Although he refused to name names, Dennis admitted that a new sponsor should be named in the coming weeks, though it will not be a title sponsor. The general consensus is that this will be the drinks group Diageo, the world's biggest spirits group. It's widely believed that West will disappear as title sponsor by mid-season, but Dennis refused to comment.