Various media outlets have been reporting a rumour that Chairman of the McLaren Group, Ron Dennis, is on the verge of being sacked from his position with the Woking based squad after the espionage scandal that rocked the world of Formula One last season.

In response to these allegations, the team’s Chief Executive, Martin Whitmarsh, has pledged his support to the man that plays such a key role in the organization and if there ever comes a time that he leaves, it will be of his own volition, not because he has been forced out.

"There is no question that Ron has everybody's full support," he was quoted as saying in the Guardian. "Ron is fully supported by all our shareholders, all our managers and all who work for our team's company. He continues to fulfil the role of chairman of the McLaren Group, chief executive of the McLaren Group, and team principal of the formula one operation. It therefore follows that it is for Ron to decide when and if to step down, step away, step back or whatever."

This latest speculation comes after Italian police raided the homes of several high ranking members of the team as well as the factory in Woking as they carry out a criminal investigation in regard to the spy affair. However, speaking to the Guardian, a team insider explained that Dennis cannot just be fired from his position, even if everyone involved wanted it that way…

"What the critics don't seem to understand is that Ron can't just be fired. He is not a simple employee. He is a shareholder in the company and enjoys the complete confident support of all our investors, Mansour Ojjeh, Mercedes-Benz and the Bahrain government. He has been under a lot of pressure recently but he is in fine form and raring to go. There are a lot of exciting projects on the go and not just on the formula one front."