Dennis feels he can still contribute

Dennis, whose role as chief of the McLaren Formula One team operation was subject to intense speculation over recent weeks, informed staff before leaving for Australia that he has no intention of stepping down.

Speaking for the first time about his decision during an event on St. Kilda beach, Dennis explained that while he questioned if he should stay on as team boss again, he realised he was not ready to quit racing in Formula One.

"There are lots of things that people don't really understand that happened over the last few months," Dennis said. "I thought pretty much at the beginning of last season it would be my last season of going to races, purely because of how long I have done it.

"But there were other things that came along and made me think. I didn't feel I had to share that with anybody, and I don't understand why it became such a public issue.

"It is a process I go through every year and for some reason it got a bit more publicity. My effort, dedication and focus is to grow McLaren as a brand. [My decision to stay on] is something that has become a much bigger issue than it really is.

"I am just a guy who enjoys going motor racing and if I don't feel I have something positive to contribute then I won't be here."

Dennis pointed out that while he is seen as the figurehead at the McLaren team, his responsibilities extend far beyond his immediate F1 commitments.

He drew attention to the growing role F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh, who Dennis has groomed as his successor for several years, plays in running of the team.

"I am continuing as team principal," he explained, "but it is the smallest part of my job - and a part that Martin [Whitmarsh] has definitely wanted to have for a while. But he will have to wait a little bit longer. I will approach it slightly differently to before."

He added: "I think people don't fully understand what my job is. We are running a group of companies and the winter is when I really concentrate on those other aspects of the group. This year I have concentrated very hard to position the group and each of the companies.

"Martin, as always, has been working with me on that process and you only have to look at his job titles to realise how big his jobs are. He is COO of the group, he is CEO of the F1 team and we have been sharing the workload for many years - and I give him more each year.

"It was just one of those moments on whether it was the right or wrong thing for him to become team principal but it was a conversation that we had and at this moment in time, my intention is to stay in all three jobs.

"And you have to remember I am not an employee."

Asked if he was happy to go into the season having put the winter's speculation and last season's troubles behind him, Dennis replied: "We don't think about the past any more, we are looking to the future.

"We have made a very good racing car, the guys have done a great job, we are here to compete at the Australian Grand Prix and all our efforts and focus will be on this race."