'F1 would miss Ron Dennis', says Christian Horner

Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner believes that Ron Dennis' departure from Formula 1 would be great loss for the sport.

It appears likely that the 69-year-old McLaren boss will be relinquishing his chairmanship management duties with the McLaren group at the end of the current year, the unwilling casualty of a huge shareholder battle between the companies owners.

Should Dennis' termination come to fruition, Formula 1 may will live to regret it believes Horner, even if the two men have endured their fare share of disagreements over the years.

"I only have the utmost respect for Ron," Horner told Sky Sports News HQ.

"We've gone head-to-head and fought over sponsors, engineers, drivers, whatever, but he's always played fair.

"It would be a great loss if he's not involved, certainly for McLaren and also Formula 1."

Ron Dennis' track record in Grand Prix racing since he took over McLaren in 1981 make him one of the sport's most successful figures.

"What he has achieved in Formula 1 is quite remarkable," added Horner. "What he has built McLaren into is an example to us all.

"He's a passionate man and he argues for the right things for Formula 1, sometimes to the detriment of his own team."

While things come to a head at McLaren, and an outcome expected before the end of the year, a spokesperson for the company insisted that Ron Dennis would choose on his own the time and place of his departure.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.