Ron Dennis is expected to announce his complete withdrawal from the world of Formula One on Thursday.

According to widespread speculation and reports, the former McLaren team boss will remain Chairman of the Woking-based company but leave the running of the racing operations entirely to Martin Whitmarsh and his deputies.

It is believed the announcement, to be made at the McLaren headquarters in Britain, is in reaction to the 'lie-gate' scandal, with some newspapers likening it to Dennis ‘falling on his sword’ so that central figures like Whitmarsh and Lewis Hamilton can sidestep the blame.

The Daily Mail said the press announcement will follow an address to his staff, when Dennis is to 'tell them that his involvement in Grand Prix racing is over after more than 40 years'.

It is also rumoured that Dennis' announcement, to involve the 61-year-old explaining that he will focus entirely on McLaren's new production road car division, may be part of a deal with the FIA ahead of the World Motor Sport Council hearing later this month.

Dennis' long relationship with FIA President Max Mosley has been an acrimonious one, so his departure may appease the Paris body as it considers sanctions against McLaren for lying to stewards in Australia and Malaysia.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Dennis may have made the decision, including not flying to China this weekend, 'due to pressure' from Hamilton's father and manager Anthony, who is said to be furious about his son's involvement in the lying scandal.

It is said that Dennis, whose relationship with Anthony has been strained for some time, may no longer attend any races.

It is also reported that Hamilton will not be available for normal media interviews or appearances in the Shanghai paddock on Thursday or Friday.

Dennis is to attend a press conference at the McLaren Technology Centre this morning at 10.00am BST.

Ron Dennis has denied that his decision to step away completely from his involvement in the Formula 1 team is linked to the imminent FIA hearing the team is facing.

The Woking-based outfit is to go in front of the FIA's World Motor Sport Council on April 29 to answer charges that it lied to stewards - and forced its driver Lewis Hamilton to do so too - during hearings relating to the Australian Grand Prix.

While speculation has suggested that Dennis's departure is a 'peace offering' to the FIA ahead of the hearing, Dennis made it clear during a private press briefing at his Woking headquarters on Thursday that he had taken the decision alone.

He outright denied that there was any link to the current controversy, and said his sole motivation from stepping away was so he could make more a success of his new road car division.

"No," he said when asked if his move was related to the imminent WMSC hearing. "I have no qualms about what I am doing. This group needs to grow.

"I want to double the value of McLaren over the next two to five years. This is a good time to grow the business because there are quite a few talented people becoming available."

Dennis's comments have also been backed by McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh - who briefed his entire race personnel staff in the Shanghai paddock on Thursday evening to tell them of the latest developments.

"Ron has said that it is his decision and it is not related to an F1 issue," Whitmarsh later told reporters. "He has decided that it is time to move to a new challenge, and that is what he has done."

Dennis did not enjoy the best of relationships with FIA president Max Mosley during his tenure in F1, and made reference to the matter in the statement announcing his departure by saying he and Bernie Ecclestone would not be 'displeased' he had gone.

Whitmarsh said it was important that McLaren moved forwards in its dealings with the governing body and cultivated an improved relationship with the FIA.

"I think anyone who has looked at the relationship between McLaren and the FIA over the last few years would have to conclude that it would be healthier for all of us to have a more positive, constructive relationship than perhaps we have had in the past," he said.

When asked if he felt that Dennis's decision would have an influence on the WMSC verdict, Whitmarsh said: "I think you must answer that one for yourself. You can speculate on that as well as I could, but it would be wrong to give you my view on it."

Just throwing this out there, but anyone else think that perhaps Mercedes may switch from backing McLaren officially to Brawn? That would make it conceivable for Hamilton to make the switch too...personally, I like they way things are, but seeing as they're already supplying engines to the leading team, and none to happy with McLaren...

No.

Mercedes owns like 40%-60% of McLaren shares.

Hamilton definitely won't switch mid-season. I don't think Brawn would have him right now anyway.

Mercedes do seem pretty unhappy with McLaren at the moment and apparently Norbert Haug has been hanging out in the Brawn garage for most of the Grand Prix weekend.

I know Mercedes have a long standing relationship with McLaren, but are they really going to stand around while McLaren keeps dragging their name through the mud?