Ron Dennis Resumes Control of McLaren’s F1 Team

McLaren Group's lackluster Formula One racing team is back under the command of Chairman Ron Dennis, who told staffers he would launch a thorough review of all operations in February and declared, "There will be changes."

Dennis, 66, led the team for 27 years but relinquished the role of team principal in 2009 to Martin Witmarsh. Dennis also relinquished the role of group CEO to Witmarsh last year.

McLaren's F1 team failed to finish in any of the top three positions in any race during the 2013 season, its worst result in 33 years. The team hasn't won a constructor's championship since 1998.

As Chairman and CEO, Dennis says the company's shareholders have "mandated" him to revive the company's performance on and off the track. McLaren is 50% owned Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Co. Dennis and Tag Group each hold 25% stakes.

Witmarsh's departure from McLaren appears virtually certain. Speculation is that Dennis hopes to lure F1 legend Ross Brawn, who retired from F1 last autumn.