Ron Dennis has always wanted to diversify, to use the Mclarent know-how and brand elsewhere, and that was good when they were winning races. The embarrassing spectacle of both Mclaren cars at the back of the grid, being lapped, has to make one wonder if all group energy and bandwidth should be spent on the F1 operation rather than potential distractions. The brand is currently being damaged.
McLaren Applied Technologies is now working with and helping to attract racing team sponsors. I don't think it is a distraction so much as an aid.