Wise words from Big Ron from
www.planetf1.comRon Dennis has revealed his version of events that led to him telling the FIA about the Fernando Alonso/Pedro de la Rosa emails.
Dennis concedes to being involved in a bust-up with Alonso on the morning of the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 5.
That was the day after the controversial qualifying session that led to Alonso being dumped from pole to sixth on the grid after being found guilty of deliberately blocking Lewis Hamilton.
During the argument, the reigning World Champion disclosed he had email evidence in the spy scandal that could potentially prove damaging to the team.
It is reported Alonso threatened to use such information unless he was granted number one driver status ahead of Hamilton.
When asked if Alonso made the threat, Dennis shies away from answering, although it is clear from his response that the exchange was an unpleasant one.
It was that heated debate that ultimately resulted in McLaren being fined £50million and stripped of all constructors' points in this year's Formula One world championship.
"At the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday all hell broke loose, and it was not until around 11.35pm they (the stewards) moved him (Alonso) five slots," recalled Dennis
"The next morning I phone Fernando's manager to tell him what has happened.
"Fernando arrives and is pretty upset, upset by many things; upset with life, upset with this, that. He was emotional.
"In the conversation that took place he said 'I have something on my email system that is from one of the engineers'.
"There was a discussion. I got Martin (Whitmarsh) in, his manager was there, and he said it again.
"Martin and I looked at each other. I said 'What do you think?' He said 'Fernando should inform the FIA'.
"When Fernando left, I phoned the FIA and told them what happened.
"Half an hour later, Fernando's manager came back and said 'Look, I'm sorry, he was angry', and retracted everything, that it was a load of old rubbish.
"I picked up the phone again. I said 'I've been told by Fernando's manager that it's a load of old rubbish'.
"There was dialogue, we went forward. After the race he (Alonso) came into my office, apologised, shook my hand and said 'let's get on with motor-racing'.
Dennis continued: "When his manager came back and said that Fernando had lost his temper and retracted everything, I accepted it.
"I also accepted his apology after the race. Why? Why not be more aggressive?
"My job is to win the world championship. It's not for people to love and hug me. If I have difficult relationships with people, I have difficult relationships.
"You don't take your guns out and shoot them every which way. We are here to win races. It's not a bloody love in.
"I want to have positive relationships with my drivers, but it's difficult sometimes.
"But I am not going to say things that are detrimental to the interests of this team.
"I will not disclose the exact nature of the conversation I had with Fernando.
"I moved on with the intention of trying to win races, and that is what I intend to still do."
Dennis may have had grounds for constructive dismissal if Alonso was in breach of his contract.
But the 60-year-old added: "Have you ever had an argument, and in temper deeply regret saying things, and at the time you say them you either don't feel it or it is not the truth?
"Of course you do, and that is the benefit I gave to Fernando.
"I am very generous because my objective is to win races, and if someone says that (sic)...says things, retracts it and subsequently apologies, then I move on."
Dennis, though, refuses to confirm whether Alonso will be driving for McLaren next year, other than to state the 26-year-old has a contract.
It is widely speculated Alonso will return to Renault, the team who helped him become a two-time champion.
Dennis said: "We have contracts that span years ahead with both drivers.
"At the appropriate time we will focus on it (the future) and decide what is the right thing to do with them.
"But I'm not going to jump that fence, if it is a fence to jump.
"It is not a decision I have to take, or I am going to take, at this moment."