Lewis Hamilton has vowed to continue to work hard to make his long-time mentor Ron Dennis proud.
Champion pays tribute to his mentor
Lewis Hamilton has vowed to continue to work hard to make his long-time mentor Ron Dennis proud.
Dennis confirmed last week he was standing down as chairman of the McLaren Group and as CEO of McLaren Racing, ending 28 years in charge of the Woking-based team.
After severing his ties with Formula One, the 61-year-old is to take up the chairmanship of McLaren Automotive with the aim of building a new sports car from 2011.
Hamilton said: "Ron is an incredible man and we all owe him more than we could ever repay him for building this great team," remarked Hamilton.
"Both my family and I are going to do our best to continue the progress we have made over the past two seasons with the team and hope we can continue to make him proud of having invested in me.
"I was 12 when I first met Ron and, without his vision, I would not be here. I'll never forget, and neither will my family.
"Ron's decision to focus solely on the automotive side must have been tough, but I wish him the very best.
Opportunity
"Not that he'll need it - everything he touches turns to gold - well, normally!
"But seriously, Ron's departure brings with it an opportunity for change.
"I firmly believe under (team principal) Martin (Whitmarsh) and our new chairman Richard Lapthorne and with Mercedes-Benz we have great potential for the future."
Hamilton maintains "it was business as usual" in China throughout the weekend in the wake of Dennis' surprise announcement.
"You saw again after the race the team spirit, working so hard preparing for the next race, driving forklifts, soaking wet and working through the night to get everything packed up and sent off to Bahrain (this weekend's grand prix)," added Hamilton.
"All that after the long hours they already put in over the Chinese Grand Prix weekend.
"I know we are getting there as a team, and that's what makes us great."
