Woking, Britain - Martin Whitmarsh officially takes over the reins of the McLaren-Mercedes Formula One team Sunday from Ron Dennis, who is stepping down from the post of team principal after nearly 30 years at the helm.

"Neither Ron nor myself expect there to be radical change within the group as a result of our changing roles," Whitmarsh said in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.

"Ron's legacy as team principal at McLaren is immense and I fully accept that it will be amazingly difficult to overcome that. And the reality is that I'm the person who has been closest professionally to Ron in his whole career and I know just how difficult it will be because I know just how hard Ron works. He's always poured everything into winning the next race."

Whitmarsh has worked with Dennis since 1989 and admitted it would be difficult to emulate his success at McLaren, where he succeeded in winning 10 drivers' and seven constructors' titles during his time in charge.

"I've had to be patient because I've been here a very long time," he said.

"In many ways, my job description as team principal is relatively straightforward in that it's so straightforward: to win the drivers' and constructors' championships."

McLaren go into the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 29 with world champion Lewis Hamilton in one cockpit and Heikki Kovalainen in the other.

While Dennis has a very close relationship with Hamilton, guiding the Briton through the racing ranks, Whitmarsh believes he can continue the successful partnership with the hottest driver in F1.

"I've had the pleasure of watching Lewis more closely than anyone throughout his junior career and I've long known he is extraordinarily gifted," said Whitmarsh.

"I would also say that I have a depth of relationship with Lewis that I have not had with other drivers. I also know his father very well, and I believe that the depth of humanity that Lewis displays comes from his family.

"I think he considers this team an extension of his family, I believe that he is very comfortable in the team, and I have a fantastic relationship with him." (dpa)