Ron Dennis acknowledges silencing Sky's F1 television broadcast.

Ron Dennis acknowledges silencing Sky's F1 television broadcast.

      "I will organize it for them, but I won’t attend."

      Ron Dennis commented that the British television coverage of Formula 1 is of such poor quality that he prefers to watch the races with the sound turned off. After losing control and co-ownership of the McLaren team he had led for many years in late 2016, he invested part of the reported $350 million he received into purchasing a lavish estate along the River Thames in Berkshire, England. Now at 77 years old, he informed The Times newspaper that he has no intentions of returning to F1.

      "You can imagine I have children and grandchildren who are urging me to go (to a race)," Dennis stated. "I will make arrangements for them, but I won’t attend.

      "People are courteous; they will seat you, offer you coffee, but you have nothing to contribute," he continued. "You are just an extra, and I would never want to find myself in that situation. I have more worthwhile things to do."

      Those 'worthwhile things' include various business interests and philanthropic efforts—though he acknowledges that he does watch the grands prix on Sundays on television.

      However, he confessed: "I always mute the sound, as I know too much to want to hear the nonsense that some commentators deliver.

      "I watch for the essence of the race," Dennis added. "I do enjoy sports and still love watching grands prix."

      Sky Sports’ UK coverage of Formula 1 features lead commentator David Croft and former McLaren driver Martin Brundle, along with personalities like Naomi Schiff, Bernie Collins, Ted Kravitz, and others.

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Ron Dennis acknowledges silencing Sky's F1 television broadcast.

Formula 1 | Ron Dennis has stated that the British TV coverage of Formula 1 is so poor that he watches the races with the sound turned off. After being prompted (…)