Q & A with Ron Dennis

Ron Dennis: First of all, I am afraid that my ability to read anything other than English is pretty limited. But as far as I can tell, I think the media has been pretty fair to us over the last few days. They have expressed opinions, but they are not necessarily my opinions.

The fact is that we're in a process, a very difficult process. We are co-operating. Obviously, we have a disciplined legal team that is dealing with all the issues, a very good legal team. Ultimately we will do the most competent job we can, defending our team in the forthcoming World Council meeting.

Whatever the outcome is, we will address that issue. But I feel that it is wrong for me to conduct any sort of media campaign. It's not the way I am. Of course I'm challenged by all of this, but it's my job. I have to do the best job I can in difficult circumstances, and that's what I'm doing. And of course we're trying to demonstrate clearly where motor racing should be, and that's on the circuit.

We want to be able to win the world championship; we think we're leading it absolutely fair and square. I know that some people may not think that, but we're doing the best job on the circuit that we can.

Q. The FIA has talked about having new evidence. How concerned are you about the outcome of a second public trial?

RD: Well, I can't talk about it. Of course we're aware of everything, and we'll deal with it in a professional way at the World Council meeting. We know everything about the circumstances obviously, and how this new evidence came to light, and we have no further comment on that matter because we just can't. Please understand that we can't. It's as simple as that.

Q. I was just wondering how concerned you were about it?

RD: Or course it's not good for anything to do a second time around, but I think that we'll go there with the same intention and the same effort to demonstrate that we have worked hard to co-operate with the FIA throughout the whole process. That is what we'll continue to do.

Q. With how draining everything has been this year, have you thought about retirement or does the fight drive you on?

RD: Clearly my job is not as I would like it to be at the moment. But I am extremely grateful for the phenomenal support coming from my co-shareholders and from all of our sponsors. Of course, there is no question that everybody understandably questions my integrity, they question whether I have been in any shape or form involved in this. But in the end I'm working with people that have known me for years, and they are being very, very supportive and I am very grateful for that.

Q. So there will be no retirement?

RD: I think there are a few people around who would like me to. But I don't think it would be ... If it's something I thought would further the interests of the company, and that I thought was the right thing to do, then I wouldn't hesitate to do it. But I don't think it's the right thing to do.

Q. There have been a lot of rumours about Fernando Alonso's role in the new evidence. Can you comment on that?

RD: I really can't talk any more about the situation. Please try and understand that we're putting together a strong, robust defence.

Q. How big a disturbance is this on the racing part of the job?

RD: Well, I think some people would like it to be just that. I suppose the results so far have shown that it hasn't impacted upon the team and that is because the team believes very much in itself, and we function as a team.

We come closer together in adversity, and I of course brief the guys that are at the circuit that tend to be sort of swimming in the river. But they are very focussed on their jobs, and there is nowhere better for us to demonstrate our capabilities than on a Grand Prix circuit. I think that's the correct approach to have, and that's what we're doing.

Q. Given the circumstances, how much pleasure would it give you to win the Italian GP?

RD: Well, I always want to win Grands Prix and this one is no different to any other. We want to win here, and hopefully with our grid positions at the moment we will see a great job by the guys and a great job by our whole team of people. We've got a good competitive advantage here and we've got to turn it into a race win.

Q. But for you personally?

RD: I always like winning. That's what it's all about.

Q. We have seen many moments of drama over the years but this feels like the most extreme. How does it feel to you?

RD: It's certainly the most extreme I've been through, yeah. I think that's apparent to everybody.

Q. Is there a risk of losing casual F1 fans over this matter?

RD: I think that .. I share the opinion which is expressed by most people around, but I am just concentrating on doing what I can do to contribute to winning this Grand Prix, and to the obligations that I have to the team. And that of course is my responsibility.

With regards to the bigger issues, I am doing the best job I can of addressing them, working hard, putting lots of hours in. But it's not great, is it? And I don't think that ... sometimes I get a bit confused by many things in life, and this one's pretty confusing.

I think we've got a great Formula One, fantastic audiences, and a highly motivated fan base which is thoroughly enjoying the four drivers competing for the world championship. It doesn't happen that often, and it's a shame that this should be a distraction from what has been a great season.

Q. The advantage you seem to have here - is it Monza-specific?

RD: Both. This is a unique circuit with regard to the characteristics required - low drag - and you have to sort the cars to function in a low-drag configuration. There is a Monza package developed. However some of the improvements are just coming out of that continuous development program and are not Monza-specific. We had a very good test in Spa, and assuming that we're going to be there, I think we'll be very competitive!

Q. The letter from the FIA to the drivers said they would get immunity. Does that mean no points docked?

RD: I can't comment on anything to do with that. With the whole issue. It's all part of the ongoing process.