Dennis plans to be out of F1 within 5 years

Dennis says there is no definite plan for a future handover of responsibilities at his Woking-based team, but the 59-year-old is sure that he will not be team principal in the long-term.

"I may still be chairman of the group but it's highly unlikely that I'll be the team principal, because it's just not the way to behave," said Dennis, who has not ruled out Mercedes-Benz taking a greater equity stake in his team.

"I just want to be a successful chapter in the book. Not the book. You have to practice what you preach and inevitably as you move up, there has to be space for them.

"In five years' time I will not be the team principal, that is for sure."

Although autosport.com understands that McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh is the favoured option to take over as team boss, Dennis insists that no specific plan to change the organisation is in place.

"There isn't a plan. There is no pressure. There is just a strong desire to grow and move forward," he explained.

"McLaren has lots of ambitions in many areas, and that is easier to fulfil if there is a stronger line with Mercedes-Benz."