Lewis Hamilton will honour his five-year contract with McLaren according to the man who is now charged with guiding the team's Formula One future.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh is confident the 24-year-old will see out the remaining three and a half years of his current deal.
With Ron Dennis having stepped down as CEO of McLaren Racing, and of greater significance, chairman of the McLaren Group, the way is clear for the team to come through what has been a difficult period.
Dennis has retained his 15% shareholding, but he no longer has executive authority, with the sweeping change taking place after a recent meeting with the group's other shareholders.
That means he will have no influence over the team in Shanghai and Whitmarsh is confident Hamilton and his manager, father Anthony, will feel more settled.
Whitmarsh said: ‘Lewis and Anthony have been very supportive through what have been some difficult times.
‘They've been with the team a long time, and are committed to being with the team for a long time in the future.
‘I think I have a good relationship with Lewis and he is committed, just as we are, to restoring the good fortunes and competitiveness of the team.’
Whitmarsh, who has admitted to tendering his resignation - which was rejected - in the wake of the 'lie-gate' scandal, has assumed full control of all matters F1.
From 1 June, Richard Lapthorne, currently chairman of Cable and Wireless, will be appointed non-executive chairman of the McLaren Group.
As for Dennis, he takes up the chairmanship of McLaren Automotive, and is effectively marginalised as that is due to split from the McLaren Group later this year and become an independent company.
Dennis insisted his decision was one he took alone, and has no bearing on the forthcoming World Motor Sport Council hearing into the incident that resulted in Hamilton lying to stewards.
But even Dennis can appreciate his departure will be viewed by many as a blessing given the animosity that has existed over the years between himself and F1's hierarchy.
He said: ‘I admit I'm not always easy to get on with. I admit I've always fought hard for McLaren in Formula One.
‘I doubt if Max Mosley or Bernie Ecclestone will be displeased by my decision. But no-one asked me to do it. It was my decision.’
The latest furore, coming so soon after the 'spy-gate' saga in which McLaren were fined US dollars 100 million and thrown out of the constructors' championship, has put tremendous pressure on the team.
At a time when McLaren were meant to be rebuilding bridges with the FIA, they dismantled them again in spectacular style as they attempted to lay claim to third place in the Australian Grand Prix.
But it appears the penny has finally dropped at McLaren that they have to work with, not against, motor sport's governing body.
As Whitmarsh added: ‘Anyone who has looked at the relationship between McLaren and the FIA over the last few years would 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.’
A changing of the guard will certainly help in that respect, which will be tested at the WMSC hearing in Paris on 29 April.
Hamilton's humble, emotional apology, the sacking of Dave Ryan from his role as sporting director and now Dennis' departure, will all help the FIA to see McLaren are looking to turn over a new leaf.
