Dennis rules out Mercedes takeover

McLaren boss Ron Dennis says there is no chance of German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz taking overall control of the Woking-based team in the near future

There are rumours every year that Mercedes-Benz could increase the 40 percent shareholding they have in the team. But Dennis has ruled out such a possibility - claiming he sees no reason for Mercedes-Benz to increase their involvement.

"No," he told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera when asked if it was conceivable Mercedes-Benz could take over the team.

"I don't see the point; things are fine as they are. Every year, together, we discuss our plans, and we find agreement on everything."

The other shareholders in McLaren are the Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (30 percent), Ron Dennis (15 percent) and TAG Group (Holdings) SA (15 percent).

Dennis has also ruled out any talk of him stepping down from his involvement in McLaren, despite admitting he had been thinking about it at the start of last year.

"In early 2007 I was thinking of becoming less involved in the races, it's true," he said. "Then what happened happened, and I didn't want to leave on those terms. Sooner or later something will change, because I've got other business projects planned.

"But I'll never give up on the team altogether; I'll just change the role I play. McLaren is in my blood and I'm not an employee, so no-one can sack me."

And he believes that McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh will be the man who will eventually take over his responsibility inside the company.

"He's taking on more and more responsibility, and one day he'll be the head of the whole McLaren group," said Dennis.