Abu Dhabi: Formula One legend Mika Hakkinen has expressed his sadness that Ron Dennis’ 35-year tenure as McLaren boss has screeched to a halt by by declaring: “Without him, I wouldn’t have been twice a world champion.”
The Finn enjoyed “a fantastic time” under the 69-year-old between 1993 and 2001, winning back-to-back world crowns in 1998 and 1999. Dennis quit after being told by fellow shareholders on Tuesday that he must leave his position as chairman and chief executive of McLaren Group.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf News in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Hakkinen dismissed reports that Dennis’ management style was too autocratic and called him “a great leader”.
The veteran Englishman did not want to step down and failed in a High Court bid last week to prevent McLaren putting him on ‘gardening leave’.
In a statement, Dennis said he was “disappointed” and called the grounds for his removal “entirely spurious”.
Hakkinen empathises completely. Speaking at Emirates Palace hotel, he said: “I think Ron will be very disappointed for sure, because he’s been working very hard leading the McLaren team and he knows that he is able to bring success for them.
“It’s like you’re going up the elevator and somebody pushes the stop button and says: ‘Okay, jump out and we’ll continue going higher’. It’s a horrible feeling for him and I’m sure he’s not happy about it.”
Dennis joined McLaren in 1980 and took full control in 1981, after which he led the team to several periods of domination and transformed them into the most successful outfit in history after Ferrari.
Under Dennis’ tutelage, McLaren won 10 drivers’ titles with Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Hakkinen and Lewis Hamilton, and seven constructors’ championships.
“I know that Ron has a lot of business which motivates him enormously, but there’s no doubt about it, Formula One is an unbelievable sport. It keeps you going flat out and that for Ron will be a very painful thing,” added Hakkinen, who was a guest speaker at the ‘RSA Conference 2016 Abu Dhabi’, billed as the leading information and cyber security conference in the region.
“He’s no longer in this kind of situation where the engines are starting and the start will happen on the race track and that’s going to be tough, of course.”
Dennis defended his supposed belligerent management style by saying on Tuesday: “My management style is the same as it has always been and is one that has enabled McLaren to become an automotive and technology group that has won 20 Formula 1 World Championships and grown into an £850m-a-year business.”
Did Hakkinen, 48, feel that his old boss was too domineering?
“No, not at all,” he replied, before closing the two-day Abu Dhabi conference with a keynote speech by himself and the motivational speaker Mark Gallagher to examine what is required to succeed in the high-speed, technology-driven sport of F1.
“I had a fantastic time. Without him, I wouldn’t have been twice a world champion. He was a very tough leader in a team for the drivers. He worked me very hard and my teammates. And working hard also has to be very constructive. Ron was able to organise this very well. I believe he’s a great leader.
“But generations change and people change and think a little bit differently these days.”
A leading commercial figure in F1, the 44-year-old American Zak Brown, is reportedly favourite to succeed Dennis.
“I know Zak personally and he’s a fantastic guy,” said Hakkinen, who won 20 grands prix between 1991 and 2001. “He’s a gentleman who definitely can motivate you for success.”
Would Hakkinen, with his vast experience in the sport and McLaren connections, fancy such a role?
“No way. No, no, no, no,” he replied emphatically. “I’m busy enough and it’s not my thing.”
Hakkinen could not explain McLaren’s ailing fortunes – their last world champion was Lewis Hamilton in 2008 – and how they can reverse them.
“It’s a complex situation,” he said.
The one-time F1 superpower are currently sixth in the constructors’ championship ahead of the season-ending Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 25-27.
