Dennis finding F1 bargaining 'stressful'
McLaren boss Ron Dennis admits the protracted talks over Formula One’s future are a stressful business but insists a resolution is inching closer.
McLaren are one of five manufacturer-backed teams stalling on a deal to stay in the sport beyond 2007, when the ruling Concorde Agreement expires.
That group have yet to agree commercial terms with Bernie Ecclestone, who is offering teams a 60% cut of Formula One’s profits.
Dennis admitted a series of small disagreements still stand in the way of a new accord.
He said: “There is no Concorde Agreement to sign. There are initial drafts around but there is a lot of work to be done before there is a document we are comfortable with.
“Whilst everybody’s position is somewhat different – not radically different - the common desire of everybody involved is to stabilise Formula One. We play the most positive role we can in that process.
“I don’t think there’s anything that is insurmountable but unfortunately there are many things. It’s quite a stressful process trying to handle it. Trying to make everyone’s interests common is very difficult but not impossible.”
Rather than simply securing the future of Formula One until 2012, Dennis has grander aims for the current negotiations.
He wants to use the opportunity to reshape the sport and further increase the popularity of the world's biggest annual sporting event.
He added: “There is a firm belief that Formula One can be bigger. I don’t believe many men watch football believing they can play as well as David Beckham but most men watch motor racing believing they can be as good as Michael Schumacher.
“There is far more affinity with the act of driving a car.”
Aside from negotiating over the future of Formula One, Dennis’ main task is to mastermind a return to McLaren’s glory days.
He saw Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen finish third and fifth respectively in yesterday’s San Marino Grand Prix, a result he is drawing encouragement from.
Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher won the race from Renault’s Fernando Alonso, with neither McLaren featuring in the battle for victory.
But Dennis hopes their steady improvement will continue at the next race, on engine partners Mercedes’ home ground at the Nurburgring.
He said: “Everybody is now looking forward to the Silverstone test next week and the European Grand Prix, both of which should see us move further forward in our competitiveness and world championship objectives.”
