Formula One news

Hamilton still confident after Dennis stepped down

Lewis Hamilton doesn't expect any major changes in the team even though his mentor Ron Dennis will step down as McLaren's team boss. McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh will take over duties from Dennis while Dennis will focus on other commitments within the team.

Ron Dennis announced his retirement on Friday at the team's MP4-24 launch. Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton wasn't informed until minutes before the announcement itself. "'I only heard Ron was standing down a couple of minutes before he announced his decision," Hamilton told the Daily Mail.

Hamilton doesn't expect any major changes within the team even though Dennis won't be the team boss this season for the first time since 1981. "The team have never been just Ron, as he says himself,' said Hamilton. 'It was close to his heart to raise me, of course. The great thing was Ron was here to witness my first world championship and to see an end to such a great journey. Now we start another one.

"Ron leaving his role will definitely not affect my desire to defend my world championship. Martin has worked closely with Ron for the last 20 years, they are like brothers. The values they have put in the team will always be here way beyond my time. The foundations are here for the team to have a sustained period of dominance."

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