Only at McLaren

Glen · 22 Feb 2005, 12:36 (Ref:1232319)

... could you have a company directive from the boss declaring the intention to reinstate practical jokes! They probably have a policy document, and a manager with jocular responsibilities, and additional guidelines, and a spontaneity consultant, and a working group, and a committee - all of that following a two year feasability study, of course. Hilarious - what a natural clown that Mr "Whacky" Dennis is!

**Adam43** · 22 Feb 2005, 12:44 (Ref:1232326)

I think it in response to Sauber's assertion that DC must not be a PR machine. http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.as...&s=5Apparently Mateschitz has told DC that he 'didn't have to shave every day if he didn't want to' and now DC has a little beard.

Kicking-back · 22 Feb 2005, 13:08 (Ref:1232343)

Glen - your loathing of Ron Dennis knows no bounds it seems.

All he said was humour was a good thing for the team and he'd be doing some practical jokes - harking back to the Senna/Berger days, of course.

Hardly something worthy of a bash

Marbot · 22 Feb 2005, 13:12 (Ref:1232347)

Martin Whitmarsh tells JPM and KR just before 1st practise at Melbourne-"We've installed the new 3 litre engines today,instead of the 4 litre ones you were using in testing,LOL".

Glen · 22 Feb 2005, 13:53 (Ref:1232398)

KB - Just because I think (with a LOT of evidence) that he is a humourless machine of a man with a corporate vision that borders on the ridiculous, doesn't mean I loathe him! As a team boss he is one of the greats, but as a joker... well, I think you may be in a rather small minority if you believe that he has any aptitude in that area!

What Ron said was that he was thinking of re-introducing practical jokes - which is funny in itself because an environment with mirth and jolly japes is not fostered by managerial dictat. "Right guys - get out there and be good natured and funny. But er, don't make any mess, or take the **** out of my leather jacket." That was what I was laughing at - unfortunately having to explain it to you kinda takes the edge off it.

Glen · 22 Feb 2005, 13:55 (Ref:1232400)

Hey Adam - I was wondering about the DC bum-fluff beard. I thought perhaps his engineers had done it for a laugh - maybe put a load of sticky short and curlies in his balaclava.

Kicking-back · 22 Feb 2005, 13:58 (Ref:1232403)

I know what you're getting at - it's just your description of Ron as a "humourless machine" does not square with the accounts of many people who've worked with him.

They talk of an emotional man (we've seen that publicly several times), who works hard but can play hard too.

And in the Berger/Senna era he was involved himself in many of the light-hearted moments.

Glen · 22 Feb 2005, 14:06 (Ref:1232419)

Like I said matey - you might not find many people who go along with that assessment.

Tough, focussed, driven, organised - sure.

Funny - don't make me laugh.

Kicking-back · 22 Feb 2005, 14:28 (Ref:1232450)

All I'm saying is that's what people who've worked with him have said.

Whatever his public persona is is a different matter.

Glen · 22 Feb 2005, 14:37 (Ref:1232460)

Actually - the way he kept a straight face last year when he denied that the Mercedes engines were failing was indeed comedy genius. And Paragon is like something out of Austin Powers. Er - nope, can't think of any more.

Marbot · 22 Feb 2005, 14:56 (Ref:1232475)

Ted Kravitz-So that's another engine blown to Hell then Ron!

Ron Dennis-No,that's another one of Juans smoke bombs and Kimis had to pit because he can't stop laughing,LOL.

Marbot · 22 Feb 2005, 15:09 (Ref:1232481)

Lighten-up Fellas,i thought this was a comedy thread.

Sodemo · 22 Feb 2005, 17:09 (Ref:1232594)

The only McLaren Berger - Senna practical joke that I can recall, was when Berger and Senna were in a helicopter flying to a Grand Prix, when Berger picked up a briefcase and held it in his hands asking Senna "is this your briefcase?" to which Senna replied "yes", Berger then threw the case out of the window...

Kicking-back · 22 Feb 2005, 17:28 (Ref:1232609)

Ayrton once presented his passport at some check-in desk or other, only for the clerk to point out the photograph was not him.

Gerhard had replaced it with a rather different image

Mr V · 22 Feb 2005, 18:05 (Ref:1232633)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen

As a team boss he is one of the greats, but as a joker... well, I think you may be in a rather small minority if you believe that he has any aptitude in that area!

I've read a few reports saying that Ron is indeed a joker and does indeed have a sense of humour.

Whilst i have to agree with you, Ron's public "face" might seem a bit "serious", but thats the buisness he's in, after all, look what happened to the pit lane "joker (or rock and roller as he prefers)" - Eddie Jordan. Whilst i'm sure he is a very serious buisnessman, i do have to wonder if his "flamboyant side" helped put off potential sponsers and engine suppliers? Just a thought.

Mr V · 22 Feb 2005, 18:06 (Ref:1232634)

The frogs in Senna's hotel room anyone? Yep, Messers Berger and Dennis had something to do with that one

Kicking-back · 22 Feb 2005, 18:17 (Ref:1232640)

The Chilli in Mexico was painful for Ron....

Fantasy GP610 · 22 Feb 2005, 20:29 (Ref:1232758)

Bad visual image there ............

Dutton · 22 Feb 2005, 21:33 (Ref:1232829)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen

And Paragon is like something out of Austin Powers. Er - nope, can't think of any more.

I really don't think you can try to slag off the Mclaren Technical Centre. From what i have seen and read about, it seems like one awesome piece of kit.

RWC · 22 Feb 2005, 23:06 (Ref:1232924)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen

... could you have a company directive from the boss declaring the intention to reinstate practical jokes! They probably have a policy document, and a manager with jocular responsibilities, and additional guidelines, and a spontaneity consultant, and a working group, and a committee - all of that following a two year feasability study, of course. Hilarious - what a natural clown that Mr "Whacky" Dennis is!

Notwithstanding the argument about wether ron is funny or not-
i thought thought this hilarious!!

Ron might hide his sense of humour but his obsession with words is ledgendary

RWC · 22 Feb 2005, 23:07 (Ref:1232927)

As an aside,there is a current news report that mclaren turned down an offer from movie producers for paragon to feature(?) in a sequel to basic instinct

It got me thinking that the james bond movies will probably ask sometime.....
assuming they drop their BMW sponsership first! LOL

**Adam43** · 22 Feb 2005, 23:17 (Ref:1232933)

pointless, but they have, remember the Jaguar Racing association.

johnh875 · 23 Feb 2005, 02:15 (Ref:1233022)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monster

The only McLaren Berger - Senna practical joke that I can recall, was when Berger and Senna were in a helicopter flying to a Grand Prix, when Berger picked up a briefcase and held it in his hands asking Senna "is this your briefcase?" to which Senna replied "yes", Berger then threw the case out of the window...

As I recall Senna had a bulletproof/indestructible carbon fibre briefcase which Berger decided to test...

Wrex · 23 Feb 2005, 03:08 (Ref:1233038)

I would let Ron balance my cheque book, but I sure as hell would'nt let him plan my bucks night

RWC · 23 Feb 2005, 03:43 (Ref:1233054)

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