Emotional Dennis praises team effort

Against the backdrop of a new hearing into Formula One's spy saga next week, and McLaren being informed over the Monza weekend that they were under investigation by Italian authorities, Dennis denied that he took any particular satisfaction from dominating the race from Ferrari.

Instead, after being given a rapturous ovation from his team's mechanics in the pitlane immediately following the podium ceremony, Dennis said that it was the spirit of his employees and commercial partners that had really moved him.

"We come to every race to try and win," he said. "And obviously if you come first and second it's a good feeling, but I don't want to put any greater emphasis on this. Perhaps the emphasis is best placed on the performance of our team under a lot of pressure.

"It's (been) a very trying weekend. We've tried to maintain our motivation and dignity in challenging circumstances. Clearly, there's now a need to turn our attention to other issues that confront the team and try to give a full and detailed explanation as to all the circumstances that we've found ourselves involved in over the past few months.

"At least it's nice to know how much support we've received from our sponsors and shareholders, who have been kept well informed. It's nice to see us function as a team. The guys here are very supportive about what's been a pretty dramatic weekend for me."

Dennis said that whatever the outcome of Thursday's hearing he hoped that his team would come out of the affair as a 'stronger organisation.'

"One of the things that I suppose I've learned from the chief executives whose companies support me, is that they've faced similar challenges. We'll emerge out of this situation, I hope, as a stronger organisation. But obviously we've got to give a very clear account of everything that's happened over the past few months. And that's what we'll do."

When asked whether he felt the spy saga was spoiling a fantastic on-track battle for the world championship, Dennis said: "It's not appropriate. I've tried to maintain a disciplined approach to this weekend and tried to stay focused on the important issues, most of which are normal to a GP weekend.

"Now, I've got to address the next hurdle. But it's part of my job and unfortunately it's not easy to address these issues. But that's what I've got to do.

"I'm not unhappy. What I'm trying to do is be as open and correct to the questions that I'm asked and think carefully before answering. I don't want to be accused of saying anything that is against the interests of the sport or my team."