Former McLaren team boss Ron Dennis set to be knighted
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Ron Dennis has been named on King Charles III's New Year's Honours list. On the 2023 list, are two well-known motorsport names: Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing) was told he would become CBE, and Ron Dennis (76) will also be awarded. The former McLaren team boss will be knighted.
Ron Dennis was previously appointed CBE, the same award Horner received. This is now followed by the highest possible award in the UK. Incidentally, Dennis does not receive it for his successes in motorsport but because of the charitable work he does today. For example, Dennis is the founder of the Dreamchaser project, through which he aims to reduce poverty. In addition, he founded Podium Analytics, which works to counter sports injuries. Dennis is also the founder of Tommy's. This organisation conducts research into the causes of infant mortality.
Dennis successful with McLaren
In motorsport, Dennis is, of course, best known for his long and successful time with McLaren. After the Briton took charge in 1980, McLaren became the absolute top team in Formula 1. This led to the constructors' title in 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1998. With Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, among others, Dennis then also helped win the drivers' title. He also succeeded in 1986, 1999 and 2008.
Leaving McLaren was by no means a high point. Dennis was not in tune with shareholders and left the company he himself had made great in 2009. In 2017, he also sold his last McLaren Group shares.