Ron Dennis takes control of McLaren Group - MotorSportsTalk

Ron Dennis is back in charge at McLaren.

Dennis, the former CEO of McLaren Group from 1982 to 2012 and former team principal for McLaren’s Formula One program from 1982 to 2009, has been appointed to the CEO post with immediate effect.

Saying that company shareholders have “mandated [him] to write an exciting new chapter in the story of McLaren,” Whitmarsh laid out some short-term plans for the Group in his statement.

“Over the coming weeks, I intend to undertake a thorough and objective review of each of our businesses with the intention of optimizing every aspect of our existing operations, whilst identifying new areas of growth that capitalize on our technologies, and where appropriate, further investing in them,” he said.

“During February, I will articulate a new Group strategy and implement the organizational structure best suited to achieving it. I am excited by the prospect of returning to the role of Group Chief Executive Officer and working with my many colleagues and fellow shareholders to fulfill our objective – which is to win at whatever we do.”

The news could have a major impact on the F1 side, as Dennis is replacing current team principal Martin Whitmarsh as CEO.

Considering Dennis’ comments on a new strategy for McLaren, Whitmarsh’s job may very well be in trouble at this time – although it must be stressed that he remains in the fold for now.

McLaren, as a whole, could be in for a major jolt after the team suffered through a woeful 2013 in which it failed to hit the podium for the first time since the 1980 season.

According to BBC F1 writer Andrew Benson, Dennis told the staff “there will be change” at a meeting today in the team’s Woking headquarters. He also said “we will win again.”

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An IndyCar executive said there is “absolutely” disappointment that its long-awaited video game recently was delayed beyond its target date, but the series remains optimistic about the new title.

“Well, I don’t know how quick it will be, but the whole situation is important to us,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said during a news conference Monday morning to announce IndyCar’s NTT title sponsorship. “Motorsport Games has spent a lot of money, a lot of effort to create an IndyCar title. What we’ve seen of that effort, which is not completely obvious, is very reassuring.

“I think it’s going to be outstanding. That’s our shared objective, that when it is released, it’s just widely accepted. A great credit both to IndyCar racing, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that our fans love.”

In June 2021, IndyCar announced a new partnership with Motorsport Games to create and distribute an IndyCar video game for the PC and Xbox and PlayStation consoles in 2023.

But during an earnings call last week, Motorsport Games said the IndyCar game had been delayed to 2024 to ensure high quality.

Somewhat compounding the delay is that IndyCar’s license for iRacing expired after the end of the 2022 season because of its exclusive agreement with Motorsport Games.

That’s resulted in significant changes for IndyCar on iRacing, which had provided a high-profile way for the series to stay visible during its 2020 shutdown from the pandemic. (Players still can race an unbranded car but don’t race on current IndyCar tracks, nor can they stream).

That’s helped ratchet up the attention on having a video game outlet for IndyCar.

“I wish we had an IndyCar title 10 years ago,” said Miles, who has been working with the organization since 2013. “We’ve been close, but we’ve had these I think speed bumps.”

IndyCar is hopeful the Motorsports Game edition will be ready at the start of 2024. Miles hinted that beta versions could be unveiled to reporters ahead of the time “to begin to show the progress in a narrow way to make sure we’ve got it right, to test the progress so that we’re ready when they’re ready.”

It’s been nearly 18 years since the release of the most recent IndyCar video game for console or PC.

“(We) better get it right,” Miles said. “It’s something we’re very close to and continue to think about what it is to make sure we get it over the line in due course.”