Speculation about the immediate future of McLaren boss Ron Dennis is back on the agenda.

The 61-year-old, who fended off raging suggestions that he was stepping down over the winter period, has told a Spanish newspaper at Valencia that he is indeed considering "taking a step back" from his leading role.

"I have still many ambitions," the Briton said in interview with El Pais.

Dennis admits that 2007, which involved the spy scandal, the Fernando Alonso saga and the breakdown of his marriage, was one of the worst years of his life.

"All the difficulties of the past 10 months made it difficult to make decisions about my future. But if you ask me whether I am considering taking a step back, the answer is yes," he said.

Dennis insists that even if he does step back, with Martin Whitmarsh primed to take over at the helm of the Mercedes-powered team, he would remain involved at McLaren.

"I do not consider the word withdrawal as meaning goodbye," he explained, "but instead a step towards other functions."

Source: GMM