Optimising the interaction between two individuals at the appropriate moment of interface can be a challenge – especially when one of them is Ron Dennis.
Sorry, I’ll drop the ‘Ronspeak’. I briefly thought about writing this whole missive in the tortured vocabulary and syntax that the executive chairman of McLaren tends to communicate by. But I realised all too quickly that firstly it would take ages, secondly I’d get bored very quickly and finally you’d probably switch off and read something else after a couple of sentences.
So in the interests of keeping you engaged to the bottom of this page I’ll do my best to stick to plain English.
It’s easy to chuckle at Ron, given the idiosyncrasies of his character. But for many who know him, ‘Ronspeak’ is a term of endearment, lightly poking fun at a man who commands great respect for his achievements at McLaren. But is he liked? That’s a harder one. A Formula 1 insider once said “the more I get to know Ron the less I like him.” But it’s far from a universal truth.
This month in Motor Sport Simon Taylor got closer to him than he expected during the course of their discussions which form the basis of our extra special and extended ‘Lunch with’ cover story. Now as Simon relates, he’s known Ron, but not well, for about 40 years. We’d been hoping to get them together for some time, and with the help of communications and PR head Matt Bishop, it finally happened. And when it did, they really hit it off.
Simon has an uncanny knack of getting people to talk and open up. Ron usually avoids discussing his early days as a mechanic at first Cooper and then Brabham. But here with Simon he talks about his first steps in the sport he loves, and the influence it had on him during his life in team management. He even gives some explanation as to why he doesn’t usually talk about his days as a mechanic. It’s revealing stuff.
I count myself fortunate to have crossed paths with Ron quite a few times over the years, and I’ve always been impressed by his poise, his presence and the time he takes to answer a question. But have I liked him? Not always.
One year at the Malaysian GP I was invited as part of a small group of journalists to join him for dinner. It was a sushi restaurant and we sat gathered on one side of a giant round table. On the other was Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and, typically of Flav, a beautiful companion who I probably should have recognised. There was no sign of acknowledgment between Ron and the other party.
On that evening, Ron was engaging, humorous and interesting on all manner of subjects, much of it philosophical. I came away thinking I’d been granted a revealing insight into the real Ron Dennis. But back in the paddock the following day, it was almost as if we’d never met as we convened for the usual Saturday ‘Meet the Team’ press conference (or ‘Meet the Ron’ as it became known among the hacks). He didn’t acknowledge those of us who’d dined with him the night before – until the very end.
Now, a few glasses of wine had been consumed that night, and during Saturday I must admit to feeling a little fuzzy. Ron spotted me: “Got a hangover?” he snapped. “Yeah, a little bit,” I replied. He grinned with glee. “I haven’t!” And off he went. Well, at least I’d pleased him.
On another occasion he called me “mad” for putting out an issue of the magazine I was working for dedicated to environmental issues in motor racing (I must admit, it was worthy more than riveting). This was before Formula 1 had become obsessed with the subject and his dismissive response disappointed me that day. But perhaps he’d have a revised view of the subject in 2012.
The thing is, there’s nothing simple about Ron Dennis. Much like his favourite colour, little about him is black or white. Even away from the F1 coalface, he still fascinates us and Simon’s interview is the best I’ve read with the man.
So lots of McLaren in the new issue of Motor Sport, but as usual there’s plenty more to read: our round-up of the Goodwood Revival; John Surtees on nurturing young driving talent; an interview with Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner; and an amazing viewing of our late founder editor Bill Boddy’s collection of racing artefacts.
Then there’s Nigel Roebuck’s heartfelt tribute to his dear friend, Professor Sid Watkins. If you own an iPad, check out the digital version and revisit our ‘Lunch with the Prof’, first published in December 2008.
Speaking of our digital edition, there are a few added extras from us on the iPad newsrack. Every Monday after a Grand Prix, we post pictorial reports of the action, and we’ve also produced a special Ferrari Racing Days digital-only supplement, bringing you some incredible pictures from the Prancing Horse’s record-breaking weekend at Silverstone recently. A total of 964 Ferraris paraded around the GP circuit, and it was something to behold. These ‘specials’ are free to subscribers, and 69p for everyone else. Bargain!
I’d also urge you to visit the new forum on the website. We hope this will become the first port of call for enthusiasts to discuss their sport, from F1 to club racing. We’d be delighted to welcome you, so please do join the discussions. Just click on the tab at the top of the homepage.
Ron Dennis doesn’t get anything like the credit he deserves in this country. I is beyond comprehension that he doesn’t have a knighthood. His personality is a side issue, his achievements are outstanding and he’s kept many hundreds of people employed and continues to grow his business in an economic downturn. He should be applauded. If he’s occasionally rude to hacks the hacks should suck it up. He makes records, you write about them!
That’s exactly what he says, Simon! In terms of credit, I think dedicating a large part of an issue to him gives you some indication of the respect we have for Ron Dennis (plus we inducted him into our Hall of Fame in its first year). And I agree with your knighthood suggestion. He is a truly great man. But his personality is much more than a side issue – his traits, good and less so, are the main reasons why he has achieved so much in his life.
It’s good to know that Ron is still “the man” at Maclaren.
On a related topic, is Frank still “the man” at Williams or has this, the last of our true British F1 teams, been sold out to foreigners in the shape of Toto Wolf?
Should be an interesting read.
If you look at what McLaren was when Ron Dennis became involved, and what it is now, Ron (and his team) have done an excellent job.
Look forward to receive my copy in due course, in Australia.
Couldn’t agree more, Simon !! Is it because the hacks admire but are also irritated by a self-made man with such strong principles, attention to detail, work ethic …? For me, NO. His achievements are legendary and McLaren is really an embodiment of his personality – which is why he will go down as a motor racing great. Can’t wait to get my copy of the article.
Ron Dennis is a business Man. Therefore he can’t be loveable to everyone. The McLaren name has been keep alive thanks to him and Bruce McLaren image within the team.
Many things happen that didn’t allow him to show the “Real” Ron Dennis; but as he usually says: if you are on the dance floor, you must dance or get out!
Personally, he scares me to death! Many times at the Montreal GP had the chance to shake his hand but i couldn’t move! TERRIFY! I like that from the CEO of my McLaren F1 team.
Thank you very much for the interview and the recognition to one of the greatest in the Formula 1 “show”! :)
Ron’s the Don.
Yes, I do agree he should have been Sir Ron by now, but I think what killed the knighthood, was the silly case of the so call spionage that was no more than a robbery from an scruples Ferrari engineer with a similar one from McLaren, nothing to do with Ron, he was not aware of what was happening, I regretted very much not have been there at McLaren. However must of Ron fall during that time was self inflicted, and his character and personality did not help. I worked almost half my working life beside the man and I learned a hell of a lot from him, he was certainly the best at his job, but when you leave McLaren he takes it personally and automatically cancelled you from his Christmas card list. When I occasionally meet him at a Grand Prix these days it is almost as we’d never met, with a very dry “hello Jo”
A self declared control freak who didnt know about his drivers and staff using Ferrari Ip, hundreds of pages in the simulator and on track, Jo ramirez?
Ron Dennis is the biggest cheat in F1, and one of the reasons ill never respect mclaren heritage.
I’m still getting past the round dining table with two sides….
Ha, good point, Roger! OK, they were opposite us. You know what I meant…
I thought this might happen with this one. Ron continues to divide opinion, it seems.
Bill, while I fully agree with you regarding the IP theft, I do have massive respect for the McLaren heritage pre-Project 4. I do also have a lot of respect for Mr. Ramirez, though I’m sure he and I would disagree on several points regarding Mr. Dennis and Project 4.
I would like to add that while I am in general disagreement with the elevation of Mr. Dennis’s character that I’ve seen in some of these posts, there is no question that the man was a very top mechanic in his day wrenching along, and I do appreciate his “OCD” approach to cleanliness.
Now, if only he would consider winning “having fun”, and not just the removal of pain. (a paraphrase of a quote of his that I recall, along the lines of “we make history, you write it”, or “we’re racing Alonso…”)
Bill/Rich
You simply don’t know what you’re talking about…….an isolated fact combined with little knowledge on the subject and all your prejudices come pouring out……..
I am not medically trained but I think we should all try and understand that many people with ‘unusual’ personalities may well be born like that and possibly endure a life long struggle to adapt and fit in with the majority who are ‘different’ from them.
There are countless examples of very high achievers of that type.
Unless they are hurting others we should give ‘em a fair go.
Congratulations Ron on a brilliant career.
I agree with John. Surely all of us are aware of flaws in out own character we need to work around. I wonder if many of the comments here are written by people who know the man. The most telling for me is Jo as he clearly knows him very well indeed. I have no chance of ever meeting Ron but without him the team would have gone the same way as Brabham and Tyrrell amongst many others. Well done Ron for making the very best of what you have to work with.
I definitely appreciate John Read’s take on the man.
Ron is a fascinating character, Mr Ramirez’s book had a few insights into his character that took your breath away for good and bad but his achievements speak for themselves. The culture of success that he masterminded at Mclaren raised the sport to a new level. A knighthood would be thoroughly deserved. I await my copy of Motorsport with even more excitment now…
Almost every month I find myself thinking that MS cannot get much better and now this….I am salivating at the prospect of reading this article – thank you and well done MS – this alone makes the recenbt 2 yr subscription renewal a sound investment1!!
SImon Taylors “Lunch with…” articles are always fascinating insights into motor sport heroes, legends and – dare I say it – villains???!! I used to have a dislike of Mr Dennis – dont know why, but now consider him an amazing man and feel that he was well and truly shafted by Mosley and the FIA as well as Ferrari dirty tricks.
Godspeed my copy to Brisbane!!!!
its interesting that Williams is held in such high regard and almost tenderness whilst McLaren seems respected but not especially liked, both are ruthless and have created empires and have achieved greatness, ok Frank’s physical issues may elicit some extra support but just ask Damon how ruthless Frank and Patrick are, ok maybe that has changed a bit since Martin ‘took over’ the F1 but that clinical atmosphere Ron overseas seems to deny or reject affection for what is a phenomenally success story.
as to his personality we have rewarded ruthless personages throughout history so not that clear why its not Sir Ron. the spy thing hasn’t stopped governments knighting others who have been involved in far worse scandals, so? not sure
two things about that scandal, what i have learnt from motor racing is that we very rarely get the full story, [Nigel please a book- the truth and nothing but- one day please and secondly how incredibly morally corrupt the FIA was- that was simply appalling- funny enough -due to loft conversion am disposing of most of my autosports from 1995 onwards- i’ll keep the ones from 1960 to 94- she won’t notice…anyway – and of course all my MOTOR SPORTS from 1960 – -she may notice them… but that to me was the darkest page in motor racing
As I picked up my usual eagerly awaited Motor Sport magazine off the mat late last night and pulled off the wrapper,I saw that Ron was the subject of “Lunch with”.I had anticipated this for some time since I saw Simon and Ron at lunch here at Mclarens some months back.I flicked through the article with curiosity and as with Jo,I feel moved to comment:- Is this instead of an Auto or biography as Patrick Head did (why has nobody done a biog.)Ron says the story is still being created day by day!.
I have known Ron since 1968 as mechanics together at Brabhams,as a friend,a business partner,and these last 27 years as an employee.Ron is a uniquely driven man who has given his life to his passion and ambitions 24/7 sometimes to the detriment of his personal life.We have all benifited from his visions and management and have been with him blow by blow through the hard times and the glory and also share his passion.Ask anyone who has been in desperate need and they will tell you how compassionate he also is.He will help anyone in trouble.
I agree with Jo that “Ferarri-gate”probably blocked his deserved knighthood for,if Frank,why notRon?.His charity work alone more than qualifies him.
My main comments re. the article are that his memory is perhaps clouded by time especially in relation to the 1st carbon chassis from concept to reality.I was there.
When I retire (I am 68 now but the E.U.says I can work on)I WILL write my book and fill in lots more detail.Beneath that guarded “Ronspeak” exterior is a regular guy.As for the fun side,you need to be around when he is having fun.
Ron is a fascinating character who to me has had a large part to play in the professionalisation of high level motorsport in the 70s who understood the value of commercialisation of the sport. But is he really that controversial……in the grand scheme of things, I doubt it very much. Surely no more so than a pretty decent proportion of the team bosses there have been over the past 50 years or so.
Bill: How is Ron the biggest cheat..? Because someone in his team colluded to steal information that was not used..? How does that compare to Flavio orchestrating an accident to manufacture a race win…?
Chris B: Are you really suggesting that the espionage case is the darkest page in the history of motorsport..? Darker than Roger Williamson’s death in 1973, darker than Le Mans 1955, darker than 1977 Kyalami, darker than Imola 1994, darker than crash gate 2008……..I didn’t think so. Maybe you wish to reassess your statement!?!
Add Adelaide ’94 and Suzuka ’90 & possibly Monaco qualifiying ’06 to the list of dark days. To me, they were far worse than Singapore in ’08, yes Alonso was given an advantage by his team mates actions but he still had to win the race whereas the the three incidents I mention were borne out of desperation and were petulant acts that reflect the very worst in Motorsport. The whole Ferrari/Mclaren spy issue was blown out of all proportion in my opinion and definitely seemed to be personal between Mosley and Dennis. I remember that when the team won at Monza that year the Mclaren mechanics presented Ron with a home made trophy as a substitute for the official constructors one they weren’t allowed to receive.
Amazed at the negative comments about Ron here. So what if he’s had run-ins with people or the odd scandal? He’s a winner. Try living thirty-odd years in the public eye, dead in the middle of F1′s circus ring, winning, and let’s see if YOU can come out blemish-free? Ron stands with Frank (and maybe, at a stretch, Todt) on the runner-up step (Bernie’s on the top step, of course) on the podium of people who’ve contributed most to modern F1. Ron and Williams-Head are the Enzo and Colin Chapman of the modern era. Giants. What curmudgeons MS has among its readers.
And writers. I have to say I find NR’s Reflections this month odd. On the one hand there are memories of NR having visited Monza forty-odd times for the GPs, then, just a little further on, yet another nasty dig at CVC/Bernie for taking races away from Europe. What the writer fails to acknowledge is that he’s been able to swan around the world writing on F1 for 40 years precisely because Bernie’s kept it running, growing and flourishing. Without Bernie and CVC it’s likely that many journos who make their living analysing F1 to the nth degree would’ve had to turn to something else. If I’d had the priviledge of being involved in F1 all my working life, I’d be praising BCE to the moon. Some people don’t seem to know they’re born…
Just read the interview and was staggered by the quote from Tom Bower’s book, which I haven’t read, about how the $100m fine was made up. The FIA should investigate and if found to be true, return $95M to McLaren. For those who haven’t read it yet Mosley is quoted as saying that the offence was worth $5m and the rest was for Ron “being a twat”.
Every now and then it seems I read a missive from one of BCE’s PR operatives on this site.
Isolated incident you say Nobby? Countless examples of the lack of ethics from Dennis.
Did you think he stepped down after liegate because of his blue eyes? How about driver instructions in race 1 of 1998 campaign, straight after collussion charges a race before at Jerez, where DC had to move over again? His personal veto of merc giving Prost GP engines? His rebuilt of ‘destroyed’ heikki by making him Lewis lap dog? Or his comments on the pitwall that they were racing Alonso, not Kimi in 2007? Him and Haug threatening Bernoldi after Monaco 2001 because he held up Dc for 40 laps?
The man was bad news for F1, and Mclaren enjoys a much, much better image without him. Both on track and in cooperation with other teams.
Rich Amroson – spot on!! Personally I cant wait for the short spiv to take a bow and leave F1 forever. There are plenty of worthy and morallky scrupulous people who should replace him, people who care about F1′s historical legacy and links to Europe, not merely driven by money and global TV figures, as important to the continuation of the sport as that is.
I think all of us want a return to “real” racing, less gimmicks and a formual that allows true innovation and competition.
Alex,
You can get loads of that ‘real’ racing stuff in the lower formulas. Always been the case. Loads there for people who want it. But yet, all the complainers continue to watch F1. Even when they live in the US and have Indycars on the doorstep. Now why is that, I wonder?..
I guess Lewis Hamilton no longer thinks of his benefactor Ron Dennis as “The Man”. Shame. No matter what differences I may have with Mr. Dennis’s approach to racing or legal matters, to have one’s beneficence so ill-regarded and poorly treated is quite a shame. Hamilton wouldn’t have the opportunity to race anywhere in F1 w/o Ron Dennis, and just a few years ago I remember hearing Hamilton say he’d race all his days at the Woking squad.
Shame that Dave Ryan was pushed out because of the lying and unloyal ingrate.
Rich,
Not another nonsensical post. Give it a rest, mate, we all get the message. With all that bile eating away at you, you’re in the wrong place. You’d be right at home over on the Autosport forums.
But let me just get one thing straight. You think Ham should dedicate his whole career to Mclaren just because that’s where he started, right? Even though he’s given them their only silverware in twelve years and after then suffered three years of catch-up cars and this year lost goodness knows how many points through team pitstop and fueling incompetence? And Whitmarsh isn’t Ron – I doubt he feels any debt at all to the new boss. By the way, I assume you think Vettel should be tied to RB forever too? I think we should be told.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Hamilton you lose the plot every time. To the extent I wonder what past experience in your life set it off…
how welcome Neil Trundle’s comments are- great to hear that people such as yourself read our beloved Motor Sport
Phil V- i don’t normally respond to comments such as yours as i have no desire to get into a verbal ping pong match with someone who has obviously missed the point, but please don’t respond – obviously darker days are connected with tragedy – it was a relative comment to the above subject – that’s why people such as I go to the Jim Clark trophy room every year – sadly regretting we can’t meet him,
Alex/ Rich – totally agree, i really think F1 would be in such a better place without our little ex-car salesman
Bill,
What I took umbrage with was that your accusation was absolute……’the biggest cheat in Formula 1′. I stand by original comments. And McLaren’s heritage is amongst the greatest in Formula 1 history, the biggest contribution to that coming from the Ron Dennis era. Remember also that the team employed probably in the region of 1700 people…..do you really expect him to know everything!!
The incident during the Australian GP between Hakkinen & Coulthard was an agreement between the drivers, nothing to do with Ron Dennis. At Jerez the previous season, he instructed Coulthard to let Hakkinen through to win the race. An emotional instruction given he had been with the team since 1993 (and his near death accident in 1995) and he’d never won a race.
Given what Alonso did and said during the 2007 season because he wasn’t getting the preferential treatment he required to beat Hamilton, I don’t think it unreasonable that Ron Dennis became a bit more emotional and biased.
As regards engines, remember he’s running a business, and looking to get any advantage he can. None of these things make him ‘the biggest cheat in Formula 1′.
Now if you want countless examples of a lack of ethics, look at Ferrari during the Todt/Schumacher era, and the FIA during Max Mosley’s tenure……..
Chris B:
Apologies for replying, as I also do not like to get into a ping pong game with someone who has clearly missed the point… To be honest I pretty much agree with your whole post except for your last point (which apparently I did not get) and furthermore I’m not sure that you yourself got my point – merely taking your statement and sarcastically taking it ad infinitum, ending with the real comparison (crash gate), which relative to the context you were referring to is surely a much darker stain.
Anyway; that’s the problem with comments……not always possible to read the tone in which something is written. :-)
Nice to read from Neil Trundle, even better to know a book from him will eventually be in the making. As a Reutemann student, I am especially interested in the Rondel F2 story. Don’t hesitate about asking me some material on the subject from Argentina, Neil!
@ Nobby:
“The last time I gave a driver a team order, was at Melbourne 1998″ Ron Dennis own words, when he was asked if he gave Heikki a move over order at Hockenheim 2008 (wich he also did, and when 2 years later Ferrari used the exact same words heikki was told, they got a 100K$ fine).
It should give more evidence that not only was Dennis a crook and a cheat, but also a liar.
At least Todt C.S. didnt make any bones about their preferences, but this article is about Dennis. Thank God hes out of F1. Long may it stay that way.
Naturally Mclaren deserve credit for assembling perhaps the greatest collection of technical know-how in the game and a marvellous R&D facility. All financed by a business plan that still seems healthy in troubled times.
But with that in mind, have they not underperformed over quite a lengthy period of time now? One drivers title (and no constructors) over 13 years, on consistently one of the top 2 biggest budgets.
Read the interview today. Very interesting to hear about Ron’s early career, Simon did well to get that story. Would have liked more flesh on the bone about Senna/Prost and Alonso/Hamilton though among other subjects. Having said that, this was an interview for a magazine and not a book. All in all, I’ve always admired Ron, I believe in his integrity and this interview has cemented his reputation in my opinion. Shame on you Mr Mosley.
Ron is so smart that makes people “believe” he is OUT of F1!!!
Complete GENIOUS!!! :)