Ecclestone successor should be an outsider

Ron Dennis

Ron Dennis believes Formula 1 should seek outside of its own community its eventual successor to Bernie Ecclestone.

F1's commercial future has been at the forefront of many discussions in the past months, often fueled by Ecclestone himself who has alluded to the sale by CVC Capital of its controlling stake in the sport.

While it is expected that Ecclestone will remain at the helm of Grand Prix racing in the near term, regardless of who eventually buys the sport, the 85-year-old supremo is not immortal and provisions for his successor must be addressed.

A number of current team bosses or prominent personalities within the world of F1 have been envisioned as potential Ecclestone replacements, but McLaren Chairman Ron Dennis firmly believes the right man for the job should be chosen from outside the sport.

"I don't think it is great to see senior members of racing teams cross the line," Dennis said.

"I don't think it looks right and it doesn't sit well. So, for that reason, I don't think it would be a particularly good idea.

"I think impartiality is something you can say is difficult to say and achieve, and that applies to every position – either FIA or FOM."

Responding to the eventuality that he was himself anticipated as a prime candidate for heading Formula 1 in the future, the McLaren boss brushed the speculation aside.

"I would be flattered to be asked. I doubt I would be asked, but I would decline. I have my sights set very firmly on a variety of things that I want to do in the latter part of my business career."