RON DENNIS
Title: |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Group |
Date of Birth: |
01/06/1947 |
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
2007: |
The Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, a wholly owned company of the Kingdom of Bahrain, acquires a 30% stake in the McLaren Group. Long term Partnership with Vodafone commences and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes launches as a team |
2004: |
Royal Opening of the McLaren Technology Centre by Her Majesty The Queen |
2004 |
Formation of McLaren Applied Technologies |
2000: |
40% of McLaren Group sold to Daimler |
1997 |
Formation of Absolute Taste |
1995: |
McLaren wins the Le Mans 24 hour race on its debut as a manufacturer with the F1 GTR. |
1989: |
Co-founds McLaren Automotive to design and manufacture the McLaren F1 Roadcar |
1987 |
McLaren Electronic Systems is formed |
1986 |
Creation of McLaren Marketing |
1984: |
Establishes Partnership with TAG Group |
1982: |
Assumes control of McLaren Racing |
1980: |
Acquires equity in Team McLaren Limited |
1971: |
Launches Rondel Racing |
1968: |
Chief Mechanic to Jack Brabham |
1966: |
First role in Motorsport with Cooper Racing Car Company |
More >>
HONOURS
| 2007: | BRDC Colin Chapman Award |
2001: |
BRDC Gold Medal |
2000: |
Honoured with a CBE for services to Motorsport |
2000, |
Honorary Degree of Doctor of the University of Surrey |
1997: |
Hon DSc from City University, London |
1996: |
Hon DTech from De Montford University |
Ron Dennis has been a pioneering force within motorsport since he began his career forty-two years ago. In 1966 he joined the Cooper Racing Car Company and progressed to join the Brabham Racing team where in 1968 he was appointed to the position of Chief Mechanic to Sir Jack Brabham.
Three years later Ron launched his own company, Rondel Racing, which won races in the Formula 2 Championship. During the 1970s he ran a number of highly successful teams, mainly concentrating on Formula 2 but also competing with distinction in the Procar Championship. In 1980 Ron’s most recent company, Project Four, merged with Team McLaren Ltd to form McLaren Racing. This was to be the catalyst for the great success and diversification that McLaren has enjoyed to date.
Since 1980, McLaren has won seven Constructors’ World Championships and ten Drivers’ World Championships.
In 1989 Ron co-founded McLaren Cars, which designed and manufactured the revolutionary F1 road car of 1994; now renamed McLaren Automotive, the company produces the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren sports car on behalf of Daimler.
Ron's entrepreneurial skills have seen the McLaren Group grow and diversify. It currently encompasses McLaren Automotive, McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren Applied Technologies, McLaren Marketing, Absolute Taste and Lydden Circuit, all in addition to the flagship, McLaren Racing and its Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula One team.
During the year 2000 Ron was honoured with a CBE for services to motorsport. In 2001 he was presented with a BRDC Gold Medal in recognition for his contribution to motorsport. He was also awarded an Hon DTech from De Montfort University in 1996, an Hon DSc from City University (London) in 1997 and, in 2000, an Hon DSc from the University of Surrey.
In 2009 Ron announced that he would pass the role of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Team Principal to Martin Whitmarsh. Ron continues to expand and develop his role as McLaren Group Chairman.
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