Dennis to attend majority of races

Dennis announced during the launch of McLaren's 2009 earlier this month that he would give up his role and team principal on 1 March, when he will be replaced by McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh.

But Dennis has made it clear, however, that he still intends to go to most races.

"I'll attend most if not all Grands Prix this coming season, for two reasons," Dennis told the official Formula One website.

"The first reason is that I'll have work to do at Grands Prix as an influential member and proponent of FOTA, and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the McLaren Group.

"After all, it's via Formula One that we've built the platform on which we now intend to grow the McLaren Group further in years to come.

"The second reason is that I continue to love the sport of Formula One with every fibre of my being. That'll never change. So, yes, I'll be in Melbourne for the 2009 Australian Grand Prix."

Despite his decision to step down, Dennis admitted that he will not be working any less than before.

"After March 1, when the aforementioned realignment will come into operation, I expect to be working harder than ever before," he added.

"That's because I'll be concentrating on leading and growing the McLaren Group, which comprises more than 1300 employees and of which I'll remain Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

"Having said all that, I'm delighted to have been able to pass down the team principal position to Martin, because he deserves it and will do the job exceptionally well. I have enormous confidence in him and in all our staff, whether they be senior or junior.

"Martin and I have worked very closely together for the past 20 years, and we'll continue to work very closely together in much the same way throughout 2009 and beyond."