McLaren says chief executive Dennis stepping aside

WOKING, England - McLaren chief executive Ron Dennis is stepping aside from all Formula One roles with the team.

The 61-year-old Dennis announced the decision Thursday as part of a restructuring of the McLaren group.

Dennis resigned in January as team principle but maintained his other roles.

Martin Whitmarsh, who replaced Dennis as team principle, will now take on his CEO role.

Dennis will head a new independent division within the McLaren Group that will launch a sports car in 2011.

His departure comes amid continuing fallout from the scandal over lies by the McLaren team to race officials at the Australian Grand Prix.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)