F1: Whitmarsh officially leaves McLaren

McLaren and its former Formula 1 team principal Martin Whitmarsh have now officially parted company.

Whitmarsh was removed from his role in January after Ron Dennis returned to power as McLaren's Group CEO. Dennis believed that the increased demands of the calendar meant that the traditional role of team principal was no longer appropriate for the challenges posed by modern F1.

"The first four races this year, the team doesn't come back," Dennis said in March. "With the former role of team principal, it was like being out of the company for four months. I defy anyone to run a company and have four months out of the company."

Although the team moved quickly to install a new structure with Eric Boullier as racing director and Jonathan Neale as Group F1 CEO, Whitmarsh remained under contract with the team. However, following lengthy discussions between Whitmarsh and Dennis over the past months, a settlement has been agreed for a parting of ways. The package – described as "generous" – is in line with Whitmarsh's 24 years of service at McLaren.

McLaren has declined to elaborate over the specifics of the settlement, but has confirmed that Whitmarsh is no longer part of the company.