Ron Dennis F1's Machiavelli

[m3_lover]

Ron Dennis has banned McLaren's 2007 driver lineup from drinking alcohol.

Despite Ferrari-bound Kimi Raikkonen's supposed alcoholic indiscretions during his tenure in 2002-2006, the Woking based team's chairman suggested that the only sips taken by Lewis Hamilton or world champion Fernando that spanish foo this year should be champagne on the podium.

After his drivers trained with Olympic athletes in Finland, Dennis told the Mirror: "We don't see why drivers need to have even

one drink in the course of a season.
"

The irony of Dennis' stance, however, is that whiskey sponsor Johnnie Walker's McLaren-associated slogan for this year is: "Be a champion. Drink responsibly."

[johny]

if my boss says that... i'll find another job . Alonso doesn't drink alcohol so it won't be a problem for him, what about hamilton?

[RACKITUP]

good

[tomislavp4]

I dont think that it´s good...
I mean he can say that they may not drink on the race weekend and test sesions but they have free time and they should spend it how they will, not how the boss said

[Octavarium]

I think it's a bit meddling to be honest, it's one thing to have a policy against illegal drugs or actual drinking problems, as thay are something that portrays a poor image of the team, not to mention both being serious problems even for people who don't need to keep themselves in top condition.

[Saribro]

Ron Dennis is an idiot.
There, I've said it :p.

[nudge]

the fact he was expressing a personal oppinion dosnt mean it is something written into their contracts...frankly i very much doubt that it is

[joseff]

Why would Ron have any problem with drivers drinking? Not like it slows Kimi down at all.

Tennis, on the other hand...

[Ciro Pabón]

I don't drink but, why Dennis has to say that to the general public?

First, everybody start to guess who is drinking there.

Second, he does not have to say that to the drivers, either. Just one of that "big brother"clauses with once a month drug and alcohol testing is enough at most d*ick-headed companies. You can blame your lawyers or whatever.

Frankly, some englishmen are an enigma to me.

[Tom]

Ron is a control freak, but I think he's onto something. Think about it, to drive these cars at top pace you have to be constantly on the ball and alert, thinking all the time. Nowadays the brain works as hard as the hands and feet, if your drivers are going out drinking they are loosing brain cells and that ability to react fast to a situation, not just when they're drunk but a fortnight later when they're going for pole.

I don't like the way he pronounced his plan, but you can't deny its a good plan to speed your team up.

[f1.redbaron]

I wonder what will Johnny have to say about that...

[RACKITUP]

Every single factor you can use to utilise to be the best, should be used.


If he [Ron] is paying 10mill+ to Alonso, he's has every right to dictate what his drivers do.

McLaren wouldn't be front runners if it wasn't for Ron's attention to detail and obsessive compulsive behaviour.


However, I wonder if he talked to J.Walker before his comments

[manchild]

Sponsorship from alcohol manufacturer is ok but if driver drinks is that's bad - pure hypocrisy.

[sebbe]

I think it has something to do with the "He says, he says" situation with Kimi Räikkonen, calling Ron a control freak (which he is, it is Ron's call to be himself).
I don't think it is hypocresy to say "my drivers shouldn't drink alcohol". They have a very risky and demanding job, and they're well paid.

[f1.redbaron]

If he [Ron] is paying 10mill+ to Alonso, he's has every right to dictate what his drivers do.

mmm...disagree!

He is paying him that much money to drive (and do other McLaren related duties), not to own him 24/7.

I don't condone drinking, but I don't agree that a team boss should make public statements like that. If he really thinks that he is right, let him do it privately...and not give statements like that to the press.

Cheers
(oops, sorry Ron! )