McLaren chief Ron Dennis will not be quitting the Formula One team.

Dennis was ready to quit at least one of his three key roles with the Woking-based team in the wake of last year's F1 spying scandal.

But he is now set to stay on as chief executive and chairman of McLaren Group and principal of the Formula One team.

Dennis is believed to have told his staff on Tuesday that he would not be leaving before he jetted off to Australia before the start of the F1 season this weekend.

Dennis's judgement came under intense scrutiny after the 'spygate' affair which rocked McLaren last season.

They were fined £50m and stripped of their constructors' championship points after being found guilty of possessing data from rivals Ferrari.

A criminal investigation is being conducted into the matter, and Dennis is believed to have been among McLaren executives questioned by Italian police.

McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton just missed out on the drivers' title in 2007.

He has a close relationship with 60-year-old Dennis and is considered one of the main contenders this year.

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