BERLIN (AFP) — Germany's Daimler AG's Mercedes plans to extend its stake in Formula One team McLaren to a majority share, Auto Motor und Sport magazine reported on Wednesday which could lead to the departure of the team's long-time boss Ron Dennis.
The magazine cited sources close to the dossier as saying talks with Daimler's Mercedes arm have already reached agreement with McLaren and a deal should be announced before the season starts in mid-March.
Mercedes has been the motor partner of the British stable since 1995 and currently holds a 40 percent stake, while Dennis holds 15 percent, as does his business partner Mansour Ojjeh.
A spokesman for Daimler would not confirm the report.
Such a move could see the end to Dennis' reign. His position was undermined last season after his team were found guilty of spying on rivals Ferrari and excluded from the constructors title race which they looked set to win.
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