McLaren boss makes extraordinary admission

Big Ron Dennis says he would not mind if Ferrari finishes one-two in Brazil - as long as Lewis Hamilton becomes world champion.

“We have no problem with Massa coming first and Kimi coming second [in Brazil],” Dennis told reporters before leaving Shanghai.

“It doesn’t really worry us. We will compete fiercely through practice and qualifying, see where we are and take a view from there,” he added.

For an ultra-professional man like Dennis to admit that McLaren have given up on the constructors’ championship is remarkable and, as far as we can remember, unprecedented. Seems like Big Ron is so desperate for Lewis to win the drivers’ title, even by a single point, that he’s lost sight of the bigger picture.

Ron should have a problem with Massa and Raikkonen finishing first and second in Brazil - even if it does lead to Lewis winning the title.

Ferrari will certainly sit up and take notice of his comments, which smack of a man so desperate to win another drivers’ title before he retires that he will compromise in every other way.

It’s also very dangerous to aim for the fourth or fifth place that would ensure Lewis is champion. Surely McLaren must aim for a repeat of China, where they proved it is possible to be quick and disciplined - provided you get a good start.

Of course, Ron could be playing mind games with Ferrari…