While the regulation changes for next year's Formula 1 World Championship are not as extensive or radical as those introduced at the start of 2009, the new rules - which include the banning of refueling and the introduction of narrower front tyres - will inevitably require some serious thinking from all teams if they are to be exploited to their fullest extent.
Not least of these are the additional considerations that stem from carrying significantly heavier fuel-loads through the race - increasing fuel-weight from around 60kg for a typical two-stop strategy to more than 150kg for a full race distance, and slowing laptimes by as much as five seconds at the start of each grand prix.
In order to cope with these demands, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Dutch shock absorber manufacturer KONI have extended their successful partnership, which will continue the Formula 1 team's use of KONI's unique frequency selective damping (FSD) system.
FSD's hydraulic system can be tuned for aerodynamic stability, but, when the going gets tough, such as when a grand prix car is travelling over kerbs, it will adopt an optimum setting for handling and feel of the car.
For 2010, optimal damping will be essential: the heavier cars will require a stable aero platform, particularly where damping assists most: the entries and exits of corners. By reducing unwanted vehicle movement while simultaneously improving driver 'feel', KONI's FSD system provides 'instant' laptime.
"KONI's FSD is intelligent damping," says McLaren Racing's managing director, Jonathan Neale. "FSD thinks for us - so it gives the drivers greater confidence and means they can drive through corners with maximum commitment - something you're always looking for when you're pushing a racing car to operate at its limit."
In addition, KONI continues to expand its FSD technology into the road car market, providing vehicles with an intelligent mechanical system that doesn't require complicated electronics, and which also allows vehicles to be driven more efficiently.
Frits Altorf, KONI's sales engineer, car OE & racing, added: "Formula 1 is an extremely prestigious international shop window for KONI's state-of-the-art products - therefore, we're delighted to have extended our partnership with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, particularly as damper technology will be more important than ever in 2010.
"Additionally, the damping technology you see at the racetrack feeds directly into the pioneering work we're undertaking on our road car FSD systems. The success we've achieved with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes gives the clearest possible demonstration of how KONI FSD technology can also provide outstanding performance and comfort on the road."
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Monday 7 December 2009
Dennis: Car business good for McLaren
McLaren boss Ron Dennis has no doubts his company is doing the right thing in pursuing its road car ambitions - even though that decision proved a catalyst for Mercedes-Benz to switch its focus to Brawn.
Dennis is heading up McLaren's plans to build a range of sportscars over the next few years - with the MP4-12C due to be the first of the new range.
And although the expansion of the road car business has been singled out as a key reason why Mercedes-Benz chose to end its exclusive deal with McLaren and instead takeover Brawn, Dennis is adamant the move is to the ultimate benefit of his Woking-based company.
"It is really a development of the brand," said Dennis as he collected a lifetime achievement award at the AUTOSPORT Awards.
"We have had some great partners - and I have to mention Mercedes-Benz. They have been phenomenally strong partners of us, and there was a time when we had to think hard and long about what was the right thing for McLaren.
"When I look at the achievements of Ferrari and what we intend for McLaren, it is absolutely categorically the right thing for us to plough our own furrow. It is a win-win situation for everyone.
"I am delighted for Brawn and the Mercedes GP team of the future, and at the end of the day, we were extremely supportive of solving the problems with Brawn.
"It is the way we have always been in F1. We take decisions for the benefit of F1, most of the time, if not all the time. I have had ups and downs in my career and I accept that being the boss you have to take the responsibility sometimes for things that are not always in your own mind your responsibility. But nevertheless that is part of being a boss and that is what I have had to do."
Dennis has also dismissed any talk of him returning to a role within McLaren's F1 teams.
"No. No. No," he said when asked about the possibility of coming back to F1. "My role in active F1 is definitely over.
"I will go to some grands prix because I love it. My brain is in McLaren but my heart is in motor racing, so I will definitely be at some grands prix. But it will not be on the pit wall and not as anything other than a spectator.
"At the end of the day I live and breath for McLaren and that is never going to change."
Dennis is heading up McLaren's plans to build a range of sportscars over the next few years - with the MP4-12C due to be the first of the new range.
And although the expansion of the road car business has been singled out as a key reason why Mercedes-Benz chose to end its exclusive deal with McLaren and instead takeover Brawn, Dennis is adamant the move is to the ultimate benefit of his Woking-based company.
"It is really a development of the brand," said Dennis as he collected a lifetime achievement award at the AUTOSPORT Awards.
"We have had some great partners - and I have to mention Mercedes-Benz. They have been phenomenally strong partners of us, and there was a time when we had to think hard and long about what was the right thing for McLaren.
"When I look at the achievements of Ferrari and what we intend for McLaren, it is absolutely categorically the right thing for us to plough our own furrow. It is a win-win situation for everyone.
"I am delighted for Brawn and the Mercedes GP team of the future, and at the end of the day, we were extremely supportive of solving the problems with Brawn.
"It is the way we have always been in F1. We take decisions for the benefit of F1, most of the time, if not all the time. I have had ups and downs in my career and I accept that being the boss you have to take the responsibility sometimes for things that are not always in your own mind your responsibility. But nevertheless that is part of being a boss and that is what I have had to do."
Dennis has also dismissed any talk of him returning to a role within McLaren's F1 teams.
"No. No. No," he said when asked about the possibility of coming back to F1. "My role in active F1 is definitely over.
"I will go to some grands prix because I love it. My brain is in McLaren but my heart is in motor racing, so I will definitely be at some grands prix. But it will not be on the pit wall and not as anything other than a spectator.
"At the end of the day I live and breath for McLaren and that is never going to change."
Friday 4 December 2009
JEREZ YOUNG DRIVER TEST
Drivers: Gary Paffett & Oliver Turvey
Location: Circuito de Jerez
Track Length: 4.423km
Weather: Cold and slippery in the morning, a light patch of drizzle at lunchtime and dry for the afternoon
Track temperature: 21.7°C
Air temperature: 17.0°C
Laps run today: 91 (59 for Gary/32 for Oliver)
Laps run in total at test: 252 (81/80/91)
Kilometres covered today: 402km
Kilometres covered in total at test: 1114km (358/354/402)
Best lap time today: Gary: 1m18.746s at 16:46pm
Best lap time of the test: Gary: 1m18.746s
Drivers for tomorrow: -
Duration of test: Three days (December 1-3)
Next Test: Valencia Feb 1-3 2010
Oliver took over for the morning, concluding the running he began on Tuesday afternoon. On a slippery track, Oliver began with a number of aero tests at slower speeds until conditions improved and the test team switched him to a 10-lap run, running through a suite of different set-ups to give Oliver a feel for the changes.
Test team manager Indy Lall said: “Oliver did a very good job and contributed towards our week’s test work. He made a very good impression on his introduction to Formula 1.”
With a midday patch of drizzle, it was decided to switch the car over for Gary’s run in the afternoon. He spent the remainder of the day conducting a very disciplined series of set-up and tyre analysis runs.
The three days’ work was very encouraging and provides a very useful benchmark for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team’s preparations for 2010 and the launch of the MP4-25.
Driver Constructor Time Laps
Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing 1m17.418 77
Paul di Resta Force India F1 1m18.736 53
Gary Paffett Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m18.746 59
Mike Conway Mercedes GP 1m19.096 77
Nico Hulkenberg Williams F1 1m19.226 106
Bertrand Baguette BMW Sauber 1m19.356 70
Oliver Turvey Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m19.358 32
Marcus Ericsson Mercedes GP 1m19.382 49
Lucas di Grassi Renault 1m19.602 123
JR Hildebrand Force India F1 1m19.873 41
Pablo Sanchez Lopez Ferrari 1m21.068 39
Daniel Zampieri Ferrari 1m21.279 42
Marco Zipoli Ferrari 1m21.725 41
Brendon Hartley Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m22.493 50
Mirko Bortolotti Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m23.271 34
Ho-Pin Tung Renault 1m32.477 4
Location: Circuito de Jerez
Track Length: 4.423km
Weather: Cold and slippery in the morning, a light patch of drizzle at lunchtime and dry for the afternoon
Track temperature: 21.7°C
Air temperature: 17.0°C
Laps run today: 91 (59 for Gary/32 for Oliver)
Laps run in total at test: 252 (81/80/91)
Kilometres covered today: 402km
Kilometres covered in total at test: 1114km (358/354/402)
Best lap time today: Gary: 1m18.746s at 16:46pm
Best lap time of the test: Gary: 1m18.746s
Drivers for tomorrow: -
Duration of test: Three days (December 1-3)
Next Test: Valencia Feb 1-3 2010
Oliver took over for the morning, concluding the running he began on Tuesday afternoon. On a slippery track, Oliver began with a number of aero tests at slower speeds until conditions improved and the test team switched him to a 10-lap run, running through a suite of different set-ups to give Oliver a feel for the changes.
Test team manager Indy Lall said: “Oliver did a very good job and contributed towards our week’s test work. He made a very good impression on his introduction to Formula 1.”
With a midday patch of drizzle, it was decided to switch the car over for Gary’s run in the afternoon. He spent the remainder of the day conducting a very disciplined series of set-up and tyre analysis runs.
The three days’ work was very encouraging and provides a very useful benchmark for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team’s preparations for 2010 and the launch of the MP4-25.
Driver Constructor Time Laps
Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing 1m17.418 77
Paul di Resta Force India F1 1m18.736 53
Gary Paffett Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m18.746 59
Mike Conway Mercedes GP 1m19.096 77
Nico Hulkenberg Williams F1 1m19.226 106
Bertrand Baguette BMW Sauber 1m19.356 70
Oliver Turvey Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 1m19.358 32
Marcus Ericsson Mercedes GP 1m19.382 49
Lucas di Grassi Renault 1m19.602 123
JR Hildebrand Force India F1 1m19.873 41
Pablo Sanchez Lopez Ferrari 1m21.068 39
Daniel Zampieri Ferrari 1m21.279 42
Marco Zipoli Ferrari 1m21.725 41
Brendon Hartley Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m22.493 50
Mirko Bortolotti Scuderia Toro Rosso 1m23.271 34
Ho-Pin Tung Renault 1m32.477 4
Monday 30 November 2009
McLaren plans aggressive approach
McLaren is taking a more aggressive approach to the design of its 2010 car that it has with recent contenders, as it eyes a return to world title glory next year.
On the back an its impressive recovery this campaign, where it went from pre-season tail-enders to race winners by the middle of the year, McLaren says the lessons it took on board in 2009 are being applied to the design of its MP4-25.
"It's still too early to be able to say with any confidence how competitive we'll be, but all we can say with any certainty is that we've approached this year's car more aggressively than we perhaps have in the past," said McLaren's engineering director Paddy Lowe.
"We've used the knowledge we gained from heavily developing MP4-24 to stand us in good stead with the 25.
"We feel we're making very good progress, but, equally, we know there are some very capable teams out there too - I'd be surprised if Red Bull Racing and Ferrari don't come out with very strong packages, and I think Mercedes GP will produce another extremely quick car. You don't write anybody off in this business."
Lowe also believes that the fact the design of the 2010 McLaren was pretty much set in stone before Jenson Button's arrival was confirmed will not be a factor in favouring incumbent Lewis Hamilton.
When asked if it was possible the car design would suit Hamilton more, Lowe said: "Not at all. In fact, the opposite is true: you tend to design a racing car to be as neutral as possible. The only way a car is specifically designed for a driver is ergonomically, and, like I say, we're confident that won't be a problem for Jenson.
"You're trying to provide the driver with the broadest possible performance plateau upon which he can improvise to best suit his style. You'd be surprised, too, at how drivers' different approaches very often culminate in a similar lap time, so, in that respect, we're confident that our drivers will be a good match.
"Besides, you usually find that the competitive instinct takes over: when you make a Formula 1 car faster, it invariably works for both drivers. We only engineer for performance – not for individuality"
Lowe's stance about Button's smooth style not leading to any problems with the McLaren has been backed by managing director Jonathan Neale.
"We're lucky in that Lewis and Jenson both have fairly neutral driving styles – as does Pedro – so it's unlikely to be a problem for us next year," he said.
"Without the variables of fuel-load and fuel-effect, people have suggested that tyre degradation will be the next most important performance-limiting factor during a race, but we don't think that's likely to be the case.
"If you look at previous examples of a guy who's kind to his tyres, and a guy who isn't, it's rare for the guy who pushes his tyres to slip backwards in a race. I think what you see is that a driver's speed comes from a broad range of variables – and it's invariably the characteristics of the car that create a degradation issue, rather than the drivers."
And rather than express any fears about the competition between Hamilton and Button hurting McLaren's chances next year, Neale believes the varied strengths of the two drivers could help the team be more competitive.
"I'm absolutely convinced that they'll be a fantastic and competitive partnership," he said. "The reality is that they'll both bring different skill-sets to the table, and from January onwards we'll be able to very rapidly bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to bear on a number of issues – particularly during pre-season testing.
"In some ways, it multiplies our opportunities in a grand prix too: there could well be tracks where Jenson's skill-set is better-suited to the challenge, and equally, tracks where Lewis could excel. In the past, Jenson has demonstrated considerable talent at high-speed circuits, and we're looking forward to building that into our arsenal.
"As long as we provide both drivers with equal opportunities and equal machinery – something we've always done at this team – then we hope they'll be competitive everywhere."
On the back an its impressive recovery this campaign, where it went from pre-season tail-enders to race winners by the middle of the year, McLaren says the lessons it took on board in 2009 are being applied to the design of its MP4-25.
"It's still too early to be able to say with any confidence how competitive we'll be, but all we can say with any certainty is that we've approached this year's car more aggressively than we perhaps have in the past," said McLaren's engineering director Paddy Lowe.
"We've used the knowledge we gained from heavily developing MP4-24 to stand us in good stead with the 25.
"We feel we're making very good progress, but, equally, we know there are some very capable teams out there too - I'd be surprised if Red Bull Racing and Ferrari don't come out with very strong packages, and I think Mercedes GP will produce another extremely quick car. You don't write anybody off in this business."
Lowe also believes that the fact the design of the 2010 McLaren was pretty much set in stone before Jenson Button's arrival was confirmed will not be a factor in favouring incumbent Lewis Hamilton.
When asked if it was possible the car design would suit Hamilton more, Lowe said: "Not at all. In fact, the opposite is true: you tend to design a racing car to be as neutral as possible. The only way a car is specifically designed for a driver is ergonomically, and, like I say, we're confident that won't be a problem for Jenson.
"You're trying to provide the driver with the broadest possible performance plateau upon which he can improvise to best suit his style. You'd be surprised, too, at how drivers' different approaches very often culminate in a similar lap time, so, in that respect, we're confident that our drivers will be a good match.
"Besides, you usually find that the competitive instinct takes over: when you make a Formula 1 car faster, it invariably works for both drivers. We only engineer for performance – not for individuality"
Lowe's stance about Button's smooth style not leading to any problems with the McLaren has been backed by managing director Jonathan Neale.
"We're lucky in that Lewis and Jenson both have fairly neutral driving styles – as does Pedro – so it's unlikely to be a problem for us next year," he said.
"Without the variables of fuel-load and fuel-effect, people have suggested that tyre degradation will be the next most important performance-limiting factor during a race, but we don't think that's likely to be the case.
"If you look at previous examples of a guy who's kind to his tyres, and a guy who isn't, it's rare for the guy who pushes his tyres to slip backwards in a race. I think what you see is that a driver's speed comes from a broad range of variables – and it's invariably the characteristics of the car that create a degradation issue, rather than the drivers."
And rather than express any fears about the competition between Hamilton and Button hurting McLaren's chances next year, Neale believes the varied strengths of the two drivers could help the team be more competitive.
"I'm absolutely convinced that they'll be a fantastic and competitive partnership," he said. "The reality is that they'll both bring different skill-sets to the table, and from January onwards we'll be able to very rapidly bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to bear on a number of issues – particularly during pre-season testing.
"In some ways, it multiplies our opportunities in a grand prix too: there could well be tracks where Jenson's skill-set is better-suited to the challenge, and equally, tracks where Lewis could excel. In the past, Jenson has demonstrated considerable talent at high-speed circuits, and we're looking forward to building that into our arsenal.
"As long as we provide both drivers with equal opportunities and equal machinery – something we've always done at this team – then we hope they'll be competitive everywhere."
Wednesday 18 November 2009
McLaren finally announce Button as new driver
18th November 2009
After many days of negotiations, Button and Hamilton line up for the 2010 series alongside each other in the McLaren-Mercedes.
After many days of negotiations, Button and Hamilton line up for the 2010 series alongside each other in the McLaren-Mercedes.
Monday 16 November 2009
McLAREN AND MERCEDES-BENZ ANNOUNCE REALIGNED LONG-TERM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
16th November 2009
McLaren and Mercedes-Benz are delighted to announce a realigned long-term strategic alliance.
The agreement covers the next six Formula 1 seasons (2010-15) and also provides mechanisms whereby the partnership may continue beyond 2015.
The reaffirmation of the two companies’ commitment to each other is the result of many weeks of careful and co-operative discussion between the McLaren Group and Daimler AG (the parent companies of, respectively, McLaren Racing and Mercedes-Benz) and covers both parties’ continued involvement in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 partnership as well as a shared intention to act in the overall best interests of the sport of Grand Prix racing. It also reflects the independent vision of both companies with regard to their automotive production strategies.
The realigned long-term strategic alliance is reflected in three principal resolutions, as follows:
Mercedes-Benz: to power McLaren’s Formula 1 cars until 2015
Having begun in 1995, the McLaren/Mercedes-Benz partnership is already one of the longest engine-supply associations in Formula 1 history; 2009 was its 15th consecutive year and 2015 will be its 21st consecutive year, by which time it will have become by some margin the longest such association in Formula 1 history. Both the McLaren Group and Daimler AG were therefore committed to securing its continuation as part of a realigned long-term strategic alliance, and to have provided mechanisms whereby the partnership may continue beyond 2015. The team will continue to be known as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, its distinctive silver-with-red livery will remain unchanged, and Mercedes-Benz will continue as both an engine supplier and a partner.
McLaren Group: to purchase Daimler AG’s 40 per cent shareholding
In a transaction structured so as to be completed by 2011, the McLaren Group will undertake a phased purchase of the 40 per cent shareholding currently owned by Daimler AG. As a result, the McLaren Group will become a fully independent stand-alone corporate entity.
McLaren Automotive: spun out of the McLaren Group
The McLaren Group will continue as the parent company of McLaren Racing (and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes), McLaren Marketing, McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren Applied Technologies and McLaren Electronics Inc (USA), focusing chiefly on Formula 1 and associated technologies, while McLaren Automotive has been spun out of the McLaren Group and from 2011 will begin to manufacture its own range of high-performance production sports cars, targeted to penetrate a series of meticulously-selected premium automotive market segments. As such, McLaren Automotive will continue to develop according to a robust business strategy that has been formulated with McLaren’s customary prudence and rigour. The McLaren Group and McLaren Automotive will continue to evolve in line with their respective business strategies, and may in time adopt slightly different shareholder groupings, but they will always share a common goal: to be the best in the world in their respective fields.
Ron Dennis (Executive Chairman, McLaren Automotive; Founding Shareholder, McLaren Group) said:
“This is a win-win situation, for both McLaren and Daimler.
“I’ve often stated that it’s my belief that, in order to survive and thrive in 21st-century Formula 1, a team must become much more than merely a team. That being the case, in order to develop and sustain the revenue streams required to compete and win Grand Prix and World Championships, companies that run Formula 1 teams must broaden the scope of their commercial activities.
“Nonetheless, all of our partners will of course continue to play a crucial role in our Formula 1 programme. For that reason, and because the engines they produce are very competitive, we’re delighted that Mercedes-Benz has committed to continue not only as an engine supplier but also as a partner of ours until 2015 – and perhaps thereafter.
“The next few years will be a very exciting time for McLaren, during which period we intend to become an ever-stronger technological and economic force. Formula 1 will always be a core activity, for sound business reasons as well as for historical sporting reasons: to be clear, our Formula 1 business has traditionally enjoyed great financial security, largely as a consequence of the longevity of our contracts with our partners, many of which have exceeded 15 years of continuous involvement with McLaren. Indeed, two of our partners have been with us for more than 25 years.
“We’re risk-averse by design. Over the past two years we’ve analysed in great detail the challenge of entering the high-performance production sports car market. In the MP4-12C, which will be introduced to market in 2011, we have a car that has inherited the genes of the iconic McLaren F1 of 1994 and has already been the subject of much global media acclaim. It is proposed that it will be produced in a new state-of-the-art production facility adjacent to the existing award-winning McLaren Technology Centre at Woking [Surrey, UK].”
McLaren and Mercedes-Benz are delighted to announce a realigned long-term strategic alliance.
The agreement covers the next six Formula 1 seasons (2010-15) and also provides mechanisms whereby the partnership may continue beyond 2015.
The reaffirmation of the two companies’ commitment to each other is the result of many weeks of careful and co-operative discussion between the McLaren Group and Daimler AG (the parent companies of, respectively, McLaren Racing and Mercedes-Benz) and covers both parties’ continued involvement in the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 partnership as well as a shared intention to act in the overall best interests of the sport of Grand Prix racing. It also reflects the independent vision of both companies with regard to their automotive production strategies.
The realigned long-term strategic alliance is reflected in three principal resolutions, as follows:
Mercedes-Benz: to power McLaren’s Formula 1 cars until 2015
Having begun in 1995, the McLaren/Mercedes-Benz partnership is already one of the longest engine-supply associations in Formula 1 history; 2009 was its 15th consecutive year and 2015 will be its 21st consecutive year, by which time it will have become by some margin the longest such association in Formula 1 history. Both the McLaren Group and Daimler AG were therefore committed to securing its continuation as part of a realigned long-term strategic alliance, and to have provided mechanisms whereby the partnership may continue beyond 2015. The team will continue to be known as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, its distinctive silver-with-red livery will remain unchanged, and Mercedes-Benz will continue as both an engine supplier and a partner.
McLaren Group: to purchase Daimler AG’s 40 per cent shareholding
In a transaction structured so as to be completed by 2011, the McLaren Group will undertake a phased purchase of the 40 per cent shareholding currently owned by Daimler AG. As a result, the McLaren Group will become a fully independent stand-alone corporate entity.
McLaren Automotive: spun out of the McLaren Group
The McLaren Group will continue as the parent company of McLaren Racing (and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes), McLaren Marketing, McLaren Electronic Systems, McLaren Applied Technologies and McLaren Electronics Inc (USA), focusing chiefly on Formula 1 and associated technologies, while McLaren Automotive has been spun out of the McLaren Group and from 2011 will begin to manufacture its own range of high-performance production sports cars, targeted to penetrate a series of meticulously-selected premium automotive market segments. As such, McLaren Automotive will continue to develop according to a robust business strategy that has been formulated with McLaren’s customary prudence and rigour. The McLaren Group and McLaren Automotive will continue to evolve in line with their respective business strategies, and may in time adopt slightly different shareholder groupings, but they will always share a common goal: to be the best in the world in their respective fields.
Ron Dennis (Executive Chairman, McLaren Automotive; Founding Shareholder, McLaren Group) said:
“This is a win-win situation, for both McLaren and Daimler.
“I’ve often stated that it’s my belief that, in order to survive and thrive in 21st-century Formula 1, a team must become much more than merely a team. That being the case, in order to develop and sustain the revenue streams required to compete and win Grand Prix and World Championships, companies that run Formula 1 teams must broaden the scope of their commercial activities.
“Nonetheless, all of our partners will of course continue to play a crucial role in our Formula 1 programme. For that reason, and because the engines they produce are very competitive, we’re delighted that Mercedes-Benz has committed to continue not only as an engine supplier but also as a partner of ours until 2015 – and perhaps thereafter.
“The next few years will be a very exciting time for McLaren, during which period we intend to become an ever-stronger technological and economic force. Formula 1 will always be a core activity, for sound business reasons as well as for historical sporting reasons: to be clear, our Formula 1 business has traditionally enjoyed great financial security, largely as a consequence of the longevity of our contracts with our partners, many of which have exceeded 15 years of continuous involvement with McLaren. Indeed, two of our partners have been with us for more than 25 years.
“We’re risk-averse by design. Over the past two years we’ve analysed in great detail the challenge of entering the high-performance production sports car market. In the MP4-12C, which will be introduced to market in 2011, we have a car that has inherited the genes of the iconic McLaren F1 of 1994 and has already been the subject of much global media acclaim. It is proposed that it will be produced in a new state-of-the-art production facility adjacent to the existing award-winning McLaren Technology Centre at Woking [Surrey, UK].”
Friday 13 November 2009
Raikkonen's management visit McLaren
Kimi Raikkonen’s management team visited McLaren’s Technology Centre on Wednesday as guests of Martin Whitmarsh, itv.com/f1 has learned.
Steve and David Robertson were seen in conversation with the McLaren team principal while walking around parts of the squad’s Woking base.
Former world champion Raikkonen has been heavily linked with a return to McLaren since reaching an agreement with Ferrari to end his contract with the team a year early so that it could make room for Fernando Alonso.
But although the Robertsons’ McLaren visit suggests McLaren is indeed making a serious bid to re-sign the Finn after his three-year stint at Ferrari, itv.com/f1 understands that other candidates remain in the running for the seat alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2010.
Raikkonen has made it clear since his Ferrari departure was confirmed that he is only interested in remaining in Formula 1 next year with a team that will give him the chance to challenge for a second world championship.
Amid speculation that disagreements over money had slowed the progress of his initial talks with McLaren, Raikkonen told reporters at the season finale in Abu Dhabi said he wouldn’t be compromising on any deal just to stay on the grid.
"I have options and I still want to be here [in F1], but everything needs to be perfect," Raikkonen said in Abu Dhabi.
"I have no reason to make any contract that I don't feel 100 per cent happy with.”
The 30-year-old has previously hinted that he could take a sabbatical from F1 or switch to the World Rally Championship if he does not secure a drive he is happy with before next season.
Raikkonen has appeared the most likely driver to become Hamilton’s 2010 team-mate for weeks, although Whitmarsh has previously not ruled out the prospect of Heikki Kovalainen retaining his drive despite his disappointing results this year.
The possibility of new world champion Jenson Button joining Hamilton in an all-British line-up has also been mooted with the star yet to agree a new contract at Brawn.
Steve and David Robertson were seen in conversation with the McLaren team principal while walking around parts of the squad’s Woking base.
Former world champion Raikkonen has been heavily linked with a return to McLaren since reaching an agreement with Ferrari to end his contract with the team a year early so that it could make room for Fernando Alonso.
But although the Robertsons’ McLaren visit suggests McLaren is indeed making a serious bid to re-sign the Finn after his three-year stint at Ferrari, itv.com/f1 understands that other candidates remain in the running for the seat alongside Lewis Hamilton in 2010.
Raikkonen has made it clear since his Ferrari departure was confirmed that he is only interested in remaining in Formula 1 next year with a team that will give him the chance to challenge for a second world championship.
Amid speculation that disagreements over money had slowed the progress of his initial talks with McLaren, Raikkonen told reporters at the season finale in Abu Dhabi said he wouldn’t be compromising on any deal just to stay on the grid.
"I have options and I still want to be here [in F1], but everything needs to be perfect," Raikkonen said in Abu Dhabi.
"I have no reason to make any contract that I don't feel 100 per cent happy with.”
The 30-year-old has previously hinted that he could take a sabbatical from F1 or switch to the World Rally Championship if he does not secure a drive he is happy with before next season.
Raikkonen has appeared the most likely driver to become Hamilton’s 2010 team-mate for weeks, although Whitmarsh has previously not ruled out the prospect of Heikki Kovalainen retaining his drive despite his disappointing results this year.
The possibility of new world champion Jenson Button joining Hamilton in an all-British line-up has also been mooted with the star yet to agree a new contract at Brawn.
Wednesday 11 November 2009
2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
MP4-24-03
Started: 18th
Finished: 11th
Fastest lap: 1m41.316s (18th)
Pitstops: one (Pr-Op)
2009 points: 22 (12th)
After being relegated to 18th on the grid with a gearbox problem in qualifying, Heikki made an impressive start, getting away perfectly and diving down the inside at Turn One to move up five places by the end of lap one.
From there, he began a race-long duel with Kimi Raikkonen, pushing his countryman hard for the first half of the grand prix, rising as high as fifth and then jumping him after making his sole pitstop, on lap 32. Despite establishing a narrow cushion over the Ferrari, Heikki was forced to push for the remainder of the race after his KERS stopped functioning.
Nonetheless, today’s result assures Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of third place in the constructors’ championship, one point ahead of Ferrari.
Heikki said: “I got a really good start and managed to overtake some cars. Unfortunately, the performance of my car was not as I’d have liked, and the heavy fuel load made it harder to make greater progress – but I was fighting right until the last corner.
“After my pitstop, my KERS stopped working, which meant I had to adapt the car to perform well without it. Still, after this race we can reflect on our overall season and look at what a great job we did to secure third position in the constructors’ championship.
“That was thanks to an incredible team effort. We never gave up, and really turned the tables around. And I’m extremely proud to be a part of the team that beat Ferrari in the constructors’ championship for the first time since 2005.”
LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-02
Started: 1st
Finished: DNF – precautionary retirement with brake wear problems
Fastest lap: 1m40.367s (3rd)
Pitstops: one (Pr-Pr)
2009 points: 49 (5th)
Starting from pole position, Lewis began steadily to build a cushion over second-placed Sebastian Vettel, setting six consecutive fastest race laps as he established a lead of almost two seconds over the Red Bull Racing driver.
His progress, however, was not to last: Lewis began to encounter braking issues – a problem that caused him to out-brake himself and run wide at Turn 17, losing half of his advantage. A couple of laps later, the problem became more apparent: he was suffering from unusually high pad wear on his right-rear wheel.
Despite his engineers attempting to cope with the issue by putting Lewis into a brake-conservation mode, the wear-rate refused to drop off, and a decision was promptly made to bring him into the pits rather than risk imminent brake failure.
The team will thoroughly investigate the cause of the issue – but initial analysis suggests this was a one-off incidence of a faulty pad.
After stopping, Lewis said: “I had a good start, but I realised early on that something wasn’t right with the brakes. After three or four laps, it became clear that there was a problem with my right-rear brake pad, so I couldn’t open up the gap back to Sebastian and Mark [Webber].
“When the problem got worse, the team radioed me and told me to stop at the end of the lap. Of course, it’s a shame that we couldn’t show the performance we’d had throughout the weekend – but sometimes that’s racing.
“However, I think we can be really proud of our efforts: who’d have thought we’d finish third in the constructors’ championshipat the start of this season? It’s been an incredible year, and now I can’t wait for next season to start so I can fight for the world championship again.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Lewis drove absolutely superbly all weekend – in fact he drove absolutely superbly all year.
“Today, though, after just five laps, his right rear brake pad began to show signs of an unusual level of wear – a rogue pad, we think – and as a result we had to stop him for safety reasons. That was an enormous pity, because up to that point he’d shown blistering pace every day here in Abu Dhabi.
“In many ways, therefore, for us, today’s race was a disappointing end to a challenging season – but, overall, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful about it. The team has worked tremendously hard all year to improve MP4-24, which started the year as one of the slower cars but ended it with two fine wins and a string of impressive points-scoring finishes, culminating in a dominant pole position here yesterday. And Mercedes-Benz’s engines have been excellent all year.
“But perhaps more important still is that work on MP4-25 is already going very encouragingly – it’s already quicker than MP4-24 – and there’s every reason for us to be confident that we’ll be able to continue to develop and improve it significantly between now and the beginning of the 2010 season.
“Returning to this weekend, though, yet again Heikki was the undeserved victim of bad luck. His qualifying was spoiled through no fault of his own and as a result he lined up 18th for today’s race. He made a fantastic start – displaying a perfect combination of aggression and discipline – and passed Kimi at the first pitstops as a result, just as we’d hoped he would. Thereafter he stayed ahead of Kimi – which wasn’t strictly necessary from a points-scoring point of view but gave us the comfort we needed in terms of the constructors’ championship – and then adapted extremely well to the performance and balance compromises forced upon him by a mid-race KERS failure.
“Talking of the constructors’ championship, the fact that we beat Ferrari to third place is of course a matter of pride to us, and I want to pay tribute to all at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for the superhuman efforts they all made in achieving that milestone. Ferrari are always formidable opponents for us, and next year we hope to beat them again – this time for first place rather than third.
“Last of all, I want to say what a wonderful event the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was. Equally, we’re all very much looking forward to returning to this part of the world in March next year, to kick off the 2010 season in equally fine style in Bahrain.”
NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“This inaugural Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi was a great venue to finish this remarkable 2009 season.
“A shame for Lewis, who drove fantastically the whole weekend and then had to stop due to a brake pad problem – he was the class of the field on Friday and Saturday, as his remarkable qualifying lap proved yesterday. Heikki suffered from starting 18th after a gearbox change, and, during the race, his KERS Hybrid system caused a problem, so Heikki had to switch it off after half-distance, and his speed was obviously compromised by that.
“Looking back at this season, the team recovered brilliantly from our uncompetitiveness in the first half of the season, and Lewis posted four pole positions in the last seven races.
“On the engine side, we did not have one failure. Mercedes-Benz this year supplied a total of six cars, Brawn GP and Jenson Button clinched both world championships – congratulations again – so that was very positive.
“I’d like to thank everybody in the team at Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart for all their relentless hard work. It paid off – and it will pay off even more in the future.
“Finally, congratulations to our German friend Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull team for a great victory at this inaugural very special grand prix of Abu Dhabi.”
MP4-24-03
Started: 18th
Finished: 11th
Fastest lap: 1m41.316s (18th)
Pitstops: one (Pr-Op)
2009 points: 22 (12th)
After being relegated to 18th on the grid with a gearbox problem in qualifying, Heikki made an impressive start, getting away perfectly and diving down the inside at Turn One to move up five places by the end of lap one.
From there, he began a race-long duel with Kimi Raikkonen, pushing his countryman hard for the first half of the grand prix, rising as high as fifth and then jumping him after making his sole pitstop, on lap 32. Despite establishing a narrow cushion over the Ferrari, Heikki was forced to push for the remainder of the race after his KERS stopped functioning.
Nonetheless, today’s result assures Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of third place in the constructors’ championship, one point ahead of Ferrari.
Heikki said: “I got a really good start and managed to overtake some cars. Unfortunately, the performance of my car was not as I’d have liked, and the heavy fuel load made it harder to make greater progress – but I was fighting right until the last corner.
“After my pitstop, my KERS stopped working, which meant I had to adapt the car to perform well without it. Still, after this race we can reflect on our overall season and look at what a great job we did to secure third position in the constructors’ championship.
“That was thanks to an incredible team effort. We never gave up, and really turned the tables around. And I’m extremely proud to be a part of the team that beat Ferrari in the constructors’ championship for the first time since 2005.”
LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-02
Started: 1st
Finished: DNF – precautionary retirement with brake wear problems
Fastest lap: 1m40.367s (3rd)
Pitstops: one (Pr-Pr)
2009 points: 49 (5th)
Starting from pole position, Lewis began steadily to build a cushion over second-placed Sebastian Vettel, setting six consecutive fastest race laps as he established a lead of almost two seconds over the Red Bull Racing driver.
His progress, however, was not to last: Lewis began to encounter braking issues – a problem that caused him to out-brake himself and run wide at Turn 17, losing half of his advantage. A couple of laps later, the problem became more apparent: he was suffering from unusually high pad wear on his right-rear wheel.
Despite his engineers attempting to cope with the issue by putting Lewis into a brake-conservation mode, the wear-rate refused to drop off, and a decision was promptly made to bring him into the pits rather than risk imminent brake failure.
The team will thoroughly investigate the cause of the issue – but initial analysis suggests this was a one-off incidence of a faulty pad.
After stopping, Lewis said: “I had a good start, but I realised early on that something wasn’t right with the brakes. After three or four laps, it became clear that there was a problem with my right-rear brake pad, so I couldn’t open up the gap back to Sebastian and Mark [Webber].
“When the problem got worse, the team radioed me and told me to stop at the end of the lap. Of course, it’s a shame that we couldn’t show the performance we’d had throughout the weekend – but sometimes that’s racing.
“However, I think we can be really proud of our efforts: who’d have thought we’d finish third in the constructors’ championshipat the start of this season? It’s been an incredible year, and now I can’t wait for next season to start so I can fight for the world championship again.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Lewis drove absolutely superbly all weekend – in fact he drove absolutely superbly all year.
“Today, though, after just five laps, his right rear brake pad began to show signs of an unusual level of wear – a rogue pad, we think – and as a result we had to stop him for safety reasons. That was an enormous pity, because up to that point he’d shown blistering pace every day here in Abu Dhabi.
“In many ways, therefore, for us, today’s race was a disappointing end to a challenging season – but, overall, there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful about it. The team has worked tremendously hard all year to improve MP4-24, which started the year as one of the slower cars but ended it with two fine wins and a string of impressive points-scoring finishes, culminating in a dominant pole position here yesterday. And Mercedes-Benz’s engines have been excellent all year.
“But perhaps more important still is that work on MP4-25 is already going very encouragingly – it’s already quicker than MP4-24 – and there’s every reason for us to be confident that we’ll be able to continue to develop and improve it significantly between now and the beginning of the 2010 season.
“Returning to this weekend, though, yet again Heikki was the undeserved victim of bad luck. His qualifying was spoiled through no fault of his own and as a result he lined up 18th for today’s race. He made a fantastic start – displaying a perfect combination of aggression and discipline – and passed Kimi at the first pitstops as a result, just as we’d hoped he would. Thereafter he stayed ahead of Kimi – which wasn’t strictly necessary from a points-scoring point of view but gave us the comfort we needed in terms of the constructors’ championship – and then adapted extremely well to the performance and balance compromises forced upon him by a mid-race KERS failure.
“Talking of the constructors’ championship, the fact that we beat Ferrari to third place is of course a matter of pride to us, and I want to pay tribute to all at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for the superhuman efforts they all made in achieving that milestone. Ferrari are always formidable opponents for us, and next year we hope to beat them again – this time for first place rather than third.
“Last of all, I want to say what a wonderful event the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was. Equally, we’re all very much looking forward to returning to this part of the world in March next year, to kick off the 2010 season in equally fine style in Bahrain.”
NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“This inaugural Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi was a great venue to finish this remarkable 2009 season.
“A shame for Lewis, who drove fantastically the whole weekend and then had to stop due to a brake pad problem – he was the class of the field on Friday and Saturday, as his remarkable qualifying lap proved yesterday. Heikki suffered from starting 18th after a gearbox change, and, during the race, his KERS Hybrid system caused a problem, so Heikki had to switch it off after half-distance, and his speed was obviously compromised by that.
“Looking back at this season, the team recovered brilliantly from our uncompetitiveness in the first half of the season, and Lewis posted four pole positions in the last seven races.
“On the engine side, we did not have one failure. Mercedes-Benz this year supplied a total of six cars, Brawn GP and Jenson Button clinched both world championships – congratulations again – so that was very positive.
“I’d like to thank everybody in the team at Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart for all their relentless hard work. It paid off – and it will pay off even more in the future.
“Finally, congratulations to our German friend Sebastian Vettel and his Red Bull team for a great victory at this inaugural very special grand prix of Abu Dhabi.”
Sunday 8 November 2009
Lewis: I love F1 more than ever
Lewis Hamilton says he has lost none of passion for Formula 1 during his tough 2009 season and is already raring to get back on track.
The former world champion had a desperate start to his title defence - with McLaren among the slowest cars at first and Hamilton at the centre of a scandal after he misled the stewards in Melbourne.
But the team fought back and was back at the top by the end of the year, winning at the Hungaroring and in Singapore.
Far from being eager for a break after his punishing 2009 campaign, Hamilton wants to get 2010 underway as soon as possible.
"To be honest, I'm ready to go racing again next week," he said in an interview with his personal website.
"At the moment, I think I can safely say that I'm more in love with Formula 1 than I've ever been, and I just can't wait to get back out there again!"
He believes he has improved more during 2009 than he did when fighting for titles in the previous two years.
"I've learnt a lot about effort, dedication, motivation: things that you almost take for granted when you are at the front, but which mean a lot more when you are fighting at the back," said the former champion.
"I've grown as a man, and as a driver.
"I've faced bigger hurdles this year than in my previous two seasons and I think I now know how to cope with things better than I did – even from one year ago."
Hamilton reckons McLaren has also improved in adversity.
"I also think we are a much closer group now, too," he said.
"We've known each other for one more season, and the physical bonds between us all are so much tighter – we've been through a lot together and we know each other a lot better.
"That's something I really appreciate – and I think that will make us a better fighting unit next season."
He also paid tribute to the British fans for standing by him this year, particularly when he spent the Silverstone weekend in the midfield.
"I arrived knowing that I wouldn't be able to fight for a win, and where I was just overwhelmed by the amount of support from the people at the circuit," Hamilton recounted.
"I would never have imagined it would have been such a positive and inspiring weekend for me – even if our results weren't that great.
"I'd had such an amazing race at Silverstone in 2008, and it really meant a lot to me to see that people had kept the faith and were behind me even if I couldn't score a win for them."
The former world champion had a desperate start to his title defence - with McLaren among the slowest cars at first and Hamilton at the centre of a scandal after he misled the stewards in Melbourne.
But the team fought back and was back at the top by the end of the year, winning at the Hungaroring and in Singapore.
Far from being eager for a break after his punishing 2009 campaign, Hamilton wants to get 2010 underway as soon as possible.
"To be honest, I'm ready to go racing again next week," he said in an interview with his personal website.
"At the moment, I think I can safely say that I'm more in love with Formula 1 than I've ever been, and I just can't wait to get back out there again!"
He believes he has improved more during 2009 than he did when fighting for titles in the previous two years.
"I've learnt a lot about effort, dedication, motivation: things that you almost take for granted when you are at the front, but which mean a lot more when you are fighting at the back," said the former champion.
"I've grown as a man, and as a driver.
"I've faced bigger hurdles this year than in my previous two seasons and I think I now know how to cope with things better than I did – even from one year ago."
Hamilton reckons McLaren has also improved in adversity.
"I also think we are a much closer group now, too," he said.
"We've known each other for one more season, and the physical bonds between us all are so much tighter – we've been through a lot together and we know each other a lot better.
"That's something I really appreciate – and I think that will make us a better fighting unit next season."
He also paid tribute to the British fans for standing by him this year, particularly when he spent the Silverstone weekend in the midfield.
"I arrived knowing that I wouldn't be able to fight for a win, and where I was just overwhelmed by the amount of support from the people at the circuit," Hamilton recounted.
"I would never have imagined it would have been such a positive and inspiring weekend for me – even if our results weren't that great.
"I'd had such an amazing race at Silverstone in 2008, and it really meant a lot to me to see that people had kept the faith and were behind me even if I couldn't score a win for them."
Monday 2 November 2009
McLaren: Lewis Hamilton's Formula One car will be even faster next year
Lewis Hamilton failed to end 2009 with the win that was expected of him after he dominated practice and qualifying for the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton's year as world champion sadly came to a premature end after 20 laps around the stunning Yas Marina circuit due to an issue with a right rear brake.
Mark Blundell: Jenson Button best paired with Brawn Despite that, Whitmarsh and Hamilton had every reason to feel proud of the team's fighting finish following a wretched start which saw the team take a miserable 14 points from the first nine races.
In the closing eight grands prix they netted 57 - 40 from Hamilton - to clinch a superb third place in the constructors' standings, a point ahead of their great rivals Ferrari.
Now the focus turns to next year, with McLaren seemingly already ahead of the game.
"The race was a disappointing end to a challenging season, but overall there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful about it," said Whitmarsh.
"The team has worked tremendously hard all year to improve the car, which started as one of the slower, but ended it with two fine wins and a string of impressive points-scoring finishes.
"The fact we beat Ferrari to third place is also a matter of pride to us, and I want to pay tribute to all at the team for the superhuman efforts they made in achieving that milestone.
"Ferrari are always formidable opponents for us, and next year we hope to beat them again - this time for first place rather than third.
"Perhaps more important still is that work on next year's car is already going very encouragingly - it's already quicker than the current car.
"So there's every reason for us to be confident we'll be able to continue to develop and improve it significantly between now and the beginning of the 2010 season."
Hamilton's 40 points from the last eight races was still more than any other driver, and in three of those he failed to finish.
There was natural disappointment at being unable to end the season on a high.
But the 24-year-old is already looking forward to next year, and a more sustained tilt at the championship when he hopes to regain his crown.
"Of course, it's a shame we couldn't show the performance we'd had throughout the weekend, but sometimes that's racing," said Hamilton.
"However, I think we can be really proud of our efforts. Who'd have thought we'd finish third in the constructors' championship at the start of this season?
"It's been an incredible year, and now I can't wait for next season to start so I can fight for the world championship again."
Hamilton's year as world champion sadly came to a premature end after 20 laps around the stunning Yas Marina circuit due to an issue with a right rear brake.
Mark Blundell: Jenson Button best paired with Brawn Despite that, Whitmarsh and Hamilton had every reason to feel proud of the team's fighting finish following a wretched start which saw the team take a miserable 14 points from the first nine races.
In the closing eight grands prix they netted 57 - 40 from Hamilton - to clinch a superb third place in the constructors' standings, a point ahead of their great rivals Ferrari.
Now the focus turns to next year, with McLaren seemingly already ahead of the game.
"The race was a disappointing end to a challenging season, but overall there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful about it," said Whitmarsh.
"The team has worked tremendously hard all year to improve the car, which started as one of the slower, but ended it with two fine wins and a string of impressive points-scoring finishes.
"The fact we beat Ferrari to third place is also a matter of pride to us, and I want to pay tribute to all at the team for the superhuman efforts they made in achieving that milestone.
"Ferrari are always formidable opponents for us, and next year we hope to beat them again - this time for first place rather than third.
"Perhaps more important still is that work on next year's car is already going very encouragingly - it's already quicker than the current car.
"So there's every reason for us to be confident we'll be able to continue to develop and improve it significantly between now and the beginning of the 2010 season."
Hamilton's 40 points from the last eight races was still more than any other driver, and in three of those he failed to finish.
There was natural disappointment at being unable to end the season on a high.
But the 24-year-old is already looking forward to next year, and a more sustained tilt at the championship when he hopes to regain his crown.
"Of course, it's a shame we couldn't show the performance we'd had throughout the weekend, but sometimes that's racing," said Hamilton.
"However, I think we can be really proud of our efforts. Who'd have thought we'd finish third in the constructors' championship at the start of this season?
"It's been an incredible year, and now I can't wait for next season to start so I can fight for the world championship again."
Lewis: Brake problem masked our pace
Lewis Hamilton said the brake problem that forced his retirement from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had hindered him for many laps and prevented him from demonstrating his McLaren’s true speed.
Hamilton had been peerless in qualifying and was expected to walk away with the season finale, but instead was unable to shake off the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in the opening stint.
A mistake under braking for turn 17 on lap 11 reduced his cushion over Vettel to less than one second, and although he inched away again he lost the lead to the German at the first pit stops.
The team later said it had spotted signs of abnormally high wear on the right-rear brake bad after just a handful of laps and had instructed Hamilton to conserve the brakes.
After those efforts proved fruitless, it called him into the garage to retire rather than risk a brake failure.
“I had a good start, but I realised early on that something wasn’t right with the brakes,” related Hamilton.
“After three or four laps, it became clear that there was a problem with my right-rear brake pad, so I couldn’t open up the gap back to Sebastian and Mark.
“When the problem got worse, the team radioed me and told me to stop at the end of the lap.”
McLaren said it would be conducting a full investigation into the cause but that its initial analysis pointed to a faulty brake bad.
Although he was disappointed not to be able to take race-winning momentum into the winter, Hamilton feels the team’s impressive recovery from a poor start to the season stands it in good stead for 2010.
“Of course, it’s a shame that we couldn’t show the performance we’d had throughout the weekend – but sometimes that’s racing,” he said.
“However, I think we can be really proud of our efforts: Who’d have thought we’d finish third in the constructors’ championship at the start of this season?
“It’s been an incredible year, and now I can’t wait for next season to start so I can fight for the world championship again.”
Hamilton had been peerless in qualifying and was expected to walk away with the season finale, but instead was unable to shake off the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in the opening stint.
A mistake under braking for turn 17 on lap 11 reduced his cushion over Vettel to less than one second, and although he inched away again he lost the lead to the German at the first pit stops.
The team later said it had spotted signs of abnormally high wear on the right-rear brake bad after just a handful of laps and had instructed Hamilton to conserve the brakes.
After those efforts proved fruitless, it called him into the garage to retire rather than risk a brake failure.
“I had a good start, but I realised early on that something wasn’t right with the brakes,” related Hamilton.
“After three or four laps, it became clear that there was a problem with my right-rear brake pad, so I couldn’t open up the gap back to Sebastian and Mark.
“When the problem got worse, the team radioed me and told me to stop at the end of the lap.”
McLaren said it would be conducting a full investigation into the cause but that its initial analysis pointed to a faulty brake bad.
Although he was disappointed not to be able to take race-winning momentum into the winter, Hamilton feels the team’s impressive recovery from a poor start to the season stands it in good stead for 2010.
“Of course, it’s a shame that we couldn’t show the performance we’d had throughout the weekend – but sometimes that’s racing,” he said.
“However, I think we can be really proud of our efforts: Who’d have thought we’d finish third in the constructors’ championship at the start of this season?
“It’s been an incredible year, and now I can’t wait for next season to start so I can fight for the world championship again.”
Sunday 1 November 2009
Hamilton confident of 2010 title shot
Lewis Hamilton says McLaren's late season surge has left him optimistic about the team being back in the hunt for world championship glory next season.
Although he still feels that the MP4-24 has its flaws, the outgoing world champion believes the fact the team got to the bottom of went wrong with its 2009 design is key to ensuring it gets its 2010 car spot on.
"It is extremely encouraging," said Hamilton about the end of year form. "I cannot express how encouraging it is. When you come from a team where for two years you have had a good, competitive car, to the beginning of the year where you had your doubts and you felt the car was just nowhere, and didn't know when or if it would get better, it is encouraging for the future.
"But it is also such an encouraging feeling to be working so close with everyone, my team-mate, and all the guys back at the factory. Bit by bit we are getting there."
Although McLaren opted to keep pushing with improving its current car this season, while rivals Ferrari and Renault switched all their efforts onto their 2010 cars early on, Hamilton thinks the team has not sacrificed any potential for next year.
"Sure you can always start earlier, but we had to understand and work with this year's car to know where we were going," he said.
"If you start making a new car but don't know where you've been or where you are coming from, then you cannot work on it. We think we have done a great job, a very good approach to understand mistakes and wrong routes/right routes with this car, to improve it to the point that we are now.
"But we have been focusing on next year's car for some time now so we should be quite strong."
And despite being one of the highest scoring drivers in the second half of the season, Hamilton thinks his current McLaren is still lacking compared to its rivals.
"Even though it is feeling quite good here on these slow speed corners, it is still not the best car by a fair amount," he said. "We still have a lot to improve on. And the foundations of the car are not perfect, so we need to improve that for next year.
"The faster we get, the worse the car gets in the high speed corners, and if we went to places like Spa we would struggle still. But the reliability has been good, the engine has been performing fantastically, and we have definitely got closer.
"If we had this car from the beginning we would have got closer, and if we had started from here we would have just continued to improve."
Although he still feels that the MP4-24 has its flaws, the outgoing world champion believes the fact the team got to the bottom of went wrong with its 2009 design is key to ensuring it gets its 2010 car spot on.
"It is extremely encouraging," said Hamilton about the end of year form. "I cannot express how encouraging it is. When you come from a team where for two years you have had a good, competitive car, to the beginning of the year where you had your doubts and you felt the car was just nowhere, and didn't know when or if it would get better, it is encouraging for the future.
"But it is also such an encouraging feeling to be working so close with everyone, my team-mate, and all the guys back at the factory. Bit by bit we are getting there."
Although McLaren opted to keep pushing with improving its current car this season, while rivals Ferrari and Renault switched all their efforts onto their 2010 cars early on, Hamilton thinks the team has not sacrificed any potential for next year.
"Sure you can always start earlier, but we had to understand and work with this year's car to know where we were going," he said.
"If you start making a new car but don't know where you've been or where you are coming from, then you cannot work on it. We think we have done a great job, a very good approach to understand mistakes and wrong routes/right routes with this car, to improve it to the point that we are now.
"But we have been focusing on next year's car for some time now so we should be quite strong."
And despite being one of the highest scoring drivers in the second half of the season, Hamilton thinks his current McLaren is still lacking compared to its rivals.
"Even though it is feeling quite good here on these slow speed corners, it is still not the best car by a fair amount," he said. "We still have a lot to improve on. And the foundations of the car are not perfect, so we need to improve that for next year.
"The faster we get, the worse the car gets in the high speed corners, and if we went to places like Spa we would struggle still. But the reliability has been good, the engine has been performing fantastically, and we have definitely got closer.
"If we had this car from the beginning we would have got closer, and if we had started from here we would have just continued to improve."
Wednesday 28 October 2009
McLaren out to win ‘second half’ of 2009 in Abu Dhabi
Brawn GP may have pocketed both championships in Brazil, but McLaren aren’t giving up on 2009 just yet, with team principal Martin Whitmarsh hoping they’ll leave this weekend’s inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as the strongest team of the season’s second half.
After their disastrous start to the year, McLaren have certainly pulled off a miraculous comeback in 2009, turning a car that had qualified down in 18th at the season opener in Australia into one that has been frequently challenging for poles and podiums as the season has entered its final stages.
To put that into context, Lewis Hamilton has been the top-scoring driver since July’s German Grand Prix with his 40-point haul, while the team as a whole - with the help of Heikki Kovalainen - have scored 58. That’s two more than champions Brawn have managed, 14 more than traditional rivals Ferrari and just three less than Red Bull.
“If we look at the second half of this year, then Lewis has scored more points than any other driver, and we are a couple of points light of Red Bull,” Whitmarsh explained during a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 'Phone-In' session. “So hopefully this weekend we can firmly establish ourselves as having won the second half of the season. I very much hope and believe that we have a good chance of winning in Abu Dhabi.”
For Whitmarsh, who became team principal at the start of the year after two decades at McLaren, their bounce back this season is a source of immense satisfaction.
“It was an amazingly difficult start to the year for the team and for Lewis,” he said. “To have had such a traumatic start and to have really knuckled down and developed a car that is really there or thereabouts, challenging for a win at every circuit since Germany, fills me with enormous pride with what they have done.”
As well as believing McLaren will put in a competitive performance at this weekend’s Yas Marina season finale, Whitmarsh is also very optimistic concerning the team’s 2010 prospects, when he expects them to again be on the pace, this time from the outset.
“The confidence for next year is good,” he concluded. “Despite a good turnaround in the season, we weren’t realistically competing for this year’s championship. Therefore we’ve put a tremendous amount of effort into next year’s car. I know that it is already a quicker car inherently than the car that we have this year, and good progress is being made day by day as we develop that car.
“We’ve been working hard and we have got a strong team, so I’ve got every confidence, that not only will we come out of the box with a competitive car from the very beginning of the year, but that we will be a very tough competitor over the course of the year too. No one here is complacent or thinks it’s going to be easy to go out there and win races, but I really do think that we’ll be very competitive from the get go.”
If McLaren out-score Ferrari in Abu Dhabi this weekend they are assured of third place in the 2009 constructors’ championship
After their disastrous start to the year, McLaren have certainly pulled off a miraculous comeback in 2009, turning a car that had qualified down in 18th at the season opener in Australia into one that has been frequently challenging for poles and podiums as the season has entered its final stages.
To put that into context, Lewis Hamilton has been the top-scoring driver since July’s German Grand Prix with his 40-point haul, while the team as a whole - with the help of Heikki Kovalainen - have scored 58. That’s two more than champions Brawn have managed, 14 more than traditional rivals Ferrari and just three less than Red Bull.
“If we look at the second half of this year, then Lewis has scored more points than any other driver, and we are a couple of points light of Red Bull,” Whitmarsh explained during a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 'Phone-In' session. “So hopefully this weekend we can firmly establish ourselves as having won the second half of the season. I very much hope and believe that we have a good chance of winning in Abu Dhabi.”
For Whitmarsh, who became team principal at the start of the year after two decades at McLaren, their bounce back this season is a source of immense satisfaction.
“It was an amazingly difficult start to the year for the team and for Lewis,” he said. “To have had such a traumatic start and to have really knuckled down and developed a car that is really there or thereabouts, challenging for a win at every circuit since Germany, fills me with enormous pride with what they have done.”
As well as believing McLaren will put in a competitive performance at this weekend’s Yas Marina season finale, Whitmarsh is also very optimistic concerning the team’s 2010 prospects, when he expects them to again be on the pace, this time from the outset.
“The confidence for next year is good,” he concluded. “Despite a good turnaround in the season, we weren’t realistically competing for this year’s championship. Therefore we’ve put a tremendous amount of effort into next year’s car. I know that it is already a quicker car inherently than the car that we have this year, and good progress is being made day by day as we develop that car.
“We’ve been working hard and we have got a strong team, so I’ve got every confidence, that not only will we come out of the box with a competitive car from the very beginning of the year, but that we will be a very tough competitor over the course of the year too. No one here is complacent or thinks it’s going to be easy to go out there and win races, but I really do think that we’ll be very competitive from the get go.”
If McLaren out-score Ferrari in Abu Dhabi this weekend they are assured of third place in the 2009 constructors’ championship
McLaren aims for strong finish
McLaren is aiming to leave this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as "winner of the second half of the season," according to team principal Martin Whitmarsh.
Since the German Grand Prix in July, driver Lewis Hamilton has scored 40 points - more than any other driver – and climbed from 11th to sixth in the drivers' standings as a result. Only Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen has come close to Hamilton's consistency, the Finn scoring 38 points over the same period.
Likewise, in the constructor's championship, McLaren's 57-point haul since the Nurburgring is greater than world champion team Brawn, and has only been beaten by Red Bull, on 61. Should Hamilton and his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen finish 1-2 on Sunday, the team will have achieved its aim.
Given McLaren's shaky start to the season, Whitmarsh is delighted with the progress made with the MP4-24.
"I'm very proud [of the turnaround]," he said during a conference call with UK media. "It was a poor start for us and Lewis.
"Now though, it’s interesting to see how, during a season when a lot of teams put in a lot of effort to improve, if we look at German GP onwards than Lewis has scored more points than any other driver and we're [as a team] only a few points shy of what Red Bull has done in the constructors’ [championship].
"Hopefully this weekend we can establish ourselves as having won the second half of the season. I firmly believe we can win in Abu Dhabi as well with Lewis and Heikki."
Whitmarsh said that McLaren's 2010 driver lineup was still not yet decided and that no decision on Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate would be taken until after the end of the season.
"The reality is we're going into the last race, which is what we're concentrating on for now," he added.
"We are very fortunate that there appears to be a number of drivers who are interested in McLaren. Following the end of the season, we'll sit down and analyse the situation."
Since the German Grand Prix in July, driver Lewis Hamilton has scored 40 points - more than any other driver – and climbed from 11th to sixth in the drivers' standings as a result. Only Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen has come close to Hamilton's consistency, the Finn scoring 38 points over the same period.
Likewise, in the constructor's championship, McLaren's 57-point haul since the Nurburgring is greater than world champion team Brawn, and has only been beaten by Red Bull, on 61. Should Hamilton and his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen finish 1-2 on Sunday, the team will have achieved its aim.
Given McLaren's shaky start to the season, Whitmarsh is delighted with the progress made with the MP4-24.
"I'm very proud [of the turnaround]," he said during a conference call with UK media. "It was a poor start for us and Lewis.
"Now though, it’s interesting to see how, during a season when a lot of teams put in a lot of effort to improve, if we look at German GP onwards than Lewis has scored more points than any other driver and we're [as a team] only a few points shy of what Red Bull has done in the constructors’ [championship].
"Hopefully this weekend we can establish ourselves as having won the second half of the season. I firmly believe we can win in Abu Dhabi as well with Lewis and Heikki."
Whitmarsh said that McLaren's 2010 driver lineup was still not yet decided and that no decision on Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate would be taken until after the end of the season.
"The reality is we're going into the last race, which is what we're concentrating on for now," he added.
"We are very fortunate that there appears to be a number of drivers who are interested in McLaren. Following the end of the season, we'll sit down and analyse the situation."
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Sunday 4 October 2009
Tuesday 29 September 2009
Hamilton relieved to prove himself again
Lewis Hamilton says he is relieved that his recent run of form shows that he is still capable of challenging for world championships.
The reigning world champion only made it through to Q3 twice and finished in the points three times in the first eight races of this season as McLaren struggled to make its 2009 car competitive.
But he has had three pole positions and two victories in the last five races and has been boosted by the upturn in form.
Following the poles at Valencia, Monza and Singapore, and victories in Hungary and Singapore, the Briton is happy to have turned around many peoples' perceptions of his season.
"The great thing I feel is that I could have easily had a year when I was at the back the whole time, and for me I would not have felt great at all," he said.
"I was world champion last year and I was very close to being world champion the previous year, so I know I am good enough to be at the front all the time.
"Then to go straight to the back, people, how they perceive it... I would have felt how good I was would have been misjudged perhaps, so I am glad that I am back at the front now. I am showing that the #1 was earned. It was on my car for a reason. It is a positive feeling to be able to do that."
Hamilton's recent run of good results has lifted him to sixth place in the standings, three points behind Kimi Raikkonen and 14.5 behind Red Bull's Mark Webber.
The reigning world champion only made it through to Q3 twice and finished in the points three times in the first eight races of this season as McLaren struggled to make its 2009 car competitive.
But he has had three pole positions and two victories in the last five races and has been boosted by the upturn in form.
Following the poles at Valencia, Monza and Singapore, and victories in Hungary and Singapore, the Briton is happy to have turned around many peoples' perceptions of his season.
"The great thing I feel is that I could have easily had a year when I was at the back the whole time, and for me I would not have felt great at all," he said.
"I was world champion last year and I was very close to being world champion the previous year, so I know I am good enough to be at the front all the time.
"Then to go straight to the back, people, how they perceive it... I would have felt how good I was would have been misjudged perhaps, so I am glad that I am back at the front now. I am showing that the #1 was earned. It was on my car for a reason. It is a positive feeling to be able to do that."
Hamilton's recent run of good results has lifted him to sixth place in the standings, three points behind Kimi Raikkonen and 14.5 behind Red Bull's Mark Webber.
Saturday 26 September 2009
2009 Singapore Grand Prix qualifying26th September 2009
Marina Bay circuit, Saturday September 26
LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-02
P3 programme
1m47.632s (15 laps, 1st)
Lewis’s mechanics effected a precautionary overnight change of his chassis in order to alleviate a suspected issue with the car’s KERS wiring – he continues the weekend aboard chassis 02. Third practice went well: Lewis immediately fell into the groove and reported that the car felt much better balanced and easier to drive than it had during Friday evening.
He completed three runs, the first two on Prime tyres (five laps/1m48.346s best and one lap/1m48.197s) and the final one on the Option (two laps/1m47.632s).
Qualifying
Q1 1m46.977s (on Prime, 1st)
Q2 1m46.657s (on Option, 4th)
Q3 1m47.891s (on Option, 1st overall)
With his confidence boosted by the positive early evening session, Lewis blitzed the opening session, setting the fastest time, on the slower tyre, with just a single run. For Q2, he maintained his competitiveness, posting a fourth-fastest 1m46.657s and aborting a second run after comfortably making the cut. Into Q3, Lewis set a competitive banker lap of 1m47.891s and was all set for another attempt when the session was red-flagged and cut short following Rubens Barrichello’s crash.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic result,” said Lewis. “We came here with several technical upgrades, and we didn’t know if we’d be up there – particularly after Friday practice, which wasn’t spectacular for me.
“My pole lap was very relaxed: the car has just got better and better as the track has evolved, and I think I would have gone faster on my final lap if the session hadn’t been aborted.
“I didn’t expect to be on pole today, but our pace has been really good. We’ll need to see what fuel loads everyone else is running, but I feel quite confident in what we’re doing and I’m in the best position for the race tomorrow.”
Today’s pole position is Lewis’s third in the last four races and the 16th of his career.
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
MP4-24-02
P3 programme
1m48.420s (14 laps, 4th)
Without any major issues yesterday, Heikki was able to pick up where he had left off yesterday. He continued to refine the car’s balance, particularly noting the effect of tyre wear and, despite experiencing heavy traffic on his final run of the session, reported himself very happy with his progress.
Like Lewis, he ran the Prime for his first two runs (three laps/1m49.263s and three laps/1m48.420s) before switching to the Option (one lap/1m57.833s).
Qualifying
Q1 1m47.542s (on Prime, 8th)
Q2 1m46.842s (on Option, 10th)
Q3 1m49.778s (on Prime, 10th overall)
The late stoppage at the end of Q3 was particularly unfortunate for Heikki. After comfortably graduating through the first two sessions, he and his engineers chose to conserve a set of unused Option tyres for their final run of the night – but were unable to capitalise on their advantage due to Barrichello’s crash. As a result, Heikki was forced to rely on his earlier laptime – set on Prime tyres – which left him 10th – a result that does not reflect accurately on either his speed or his efforts.
“This is a very disappointing result for me,” Heikki said afterwards. “In the first two sessions, things went smoothly – although my laptimes weren’t as competitive as I was expecting. For Q3, I didn’t get a good enough lap in during my first run as I’d been running the harder tyre, which wasn’t quick enough. I also made a couple of mistakes, but I was focusing my efforts on my second run – which would have been on a set of new Option tyres.
“It’s going to be a tough race tomorrow: starting from 10th will make things very difficult, but there’s nothing I can do about that now, so I’m just going to absolutely go for it tomorrow.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Although today’s qualifying ended slightly anticlimactically, owing to an accident that befell Rubens [Barrichello] and triggered a red flag that prevented the session from running its full allocated hour, Lewis thoroughly deserved his pole position.
“Other drivers were also pushing hard at the end, and undoubtedly it would therefore have been close, but we feel relatively confident that Lewis would have remained unbeaten.
“By contrast, on the harder tyre, Heikki hadn’t managed to cut a really quick lap in Q3 by the time the session was red-flagged – but we believe that, with the benefit of another lap, he would have been able to go significantly faster. As a result, although he’s understandably disappointed that he’ll be starting the race from P10, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t put in a competitive showing tomorrow.
“Overall, then, we’re hoping to score plenty of points – but, since Lewis will be starting from pole, I grant you that that isn’t a particularly bold statement. I make no apology for that: the weather will be hot and humid, and we may even see rain; the walls are close and unforgiving; the circuit is a challenging one. But we think we’re pretty well set.”
NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
"Congratulations to Lewis for a fantastic job and his third pole position in the last four grands prix since Valencia at the end of August.
“Also, a big, big thank you to everyone in the team who worked through the night until 10 this morning to build up a different chassis for Lewis as a precaution after a problem related to a cable of our KERS Hybrid.
“Sorry for Heikki, who was strong all weekend until the last session when his first run did not work out in the expected way. After Rubens’ crash there was no time for a second run left, so Heikki has to start from 10th position.
“Strategy-wise we should be in a good position and hopefully we can fight for a win tomorrow.”
LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-02
P3 programme
1m47.632s (15 laps, 1st)
Lewis’s mechanics effected a precautionary overnight change of his chassis in order to alleviate a suspected issue with the car’s KERS wiring – he continues the weekend aboard chassis 02. Third practice went well: Lewis immediately fell into the groove and reported that the car felt much better balanced and easier to drive than it had during Friday evening.
He completed three runs, the first two on Prime tyres (five laps/1m48.346s best and one lap/1m48.197s) and the final one on the Option (two laps/1m47.632s).
Qualifying
Q1 1m46.977s (on Prime, 1st)
Q2 1m46.657s (on Option, 4th)
Q3 1m47.891s (on Option, 1st overall)
With his confidence boosted by the positive early evening session, Lewis blitzed the opening session, setting the fastest time, on the slower tyre, with just a single run. For Q2, he maintained his competitiveness, posting a fourth-fastest 1m46.657s and aborting a second run after comfortably making the cut. Into Q3, Lewis set a competitive banker lap of 1m47.891s and was all set for another attempt when the session was red-flagged and cut short following Rubens Barrichello’s crash.
“It’s an absolutely fantastic result,” said Lewis. “We came here with several technical upgrades, and we didn’t know if we’d be up there – particularly after Friday practice, which wasn’t spectacular for me.
“My pole lap was very relaxed: the car has just got better and better as the track has evolved, and I think I would have gone faster on my final lap if the session hadn’t been aborted.
“I didn’t expect to be on pole today, but our pace has been really good. We’ll need to see what fuel loads everyone else is running, but I feel quite confident in what we’re doing and I’m in the best position for the race tomorrow.”
Today’s pole position is Lewis’s third in the last four races and the 16th of his career.
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
MP4-24-02
P3 programme
1m48.420s (14 laps, 4th)
Without any major issues yesterday, Heikki was able to pick up where he had left off yesterday. He continued to refine the car’s balance, particularly noting the effect of tyre wear and, despite experiencing heavy traffic on his final run of the session, reported himself very happy with his progress.
Like Lewis, he ran the Prime for his first two runs (three laps/1m49.263s and three laps/1m48.420s) before switching to the Option (one lap/1m57.833s).
Qualifying
Q1 1m47.542s (on Prime, 8th)
Q2 1m46.842s (on Option, 10th)
Q3 1m49.778s (on Prime, 10th overall)
The late stoppage at the end of Q3 was particularly unfortunate for Heikki. After comfortably graduating through the first two sessions, he and his engineers chose to conserve a set of unused Option tyres for their final run of the night – but were unable to capitalise on their advantage due to Barrichello’s crash. As a result, Heikki was forced to rely on his earlier laptime – set on Prime tyres – which left him 10th – a result that does not reflect accurately on either his speed or his efforts.
“This is a very disappointing result for me,” Heikki said afterwards. “In the first two sessions, things went smoothly – although my laptimes weren’t as competitive as I was expecting. For Q3, I didn’t get a good enough lap in during my first run as I’d been running the harder tyre, which wasn’t quick enough. I also made a couple of mistakes, but I was focusing my efforts on my second run – which would have been on a set of new Option tyres.
“It’s going to be a tough race tomorrow: starting from 10th will make things very difficult, but there’s nothing I can do about that now, so I’m just going to absolutely go for it tomorrow.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Although today’s qualifying ended slightly anticlimactically, owing to an accident that befell Rubens [Barrichello] and triggered a red flag that prevented the session from running its full allocated hour, Lewis thoroughly deserved his pole position.
“Other drivers were also pushing hard at the end, and undoubtedly it would therefore have been close, but we feel relatively confident that Lewis would have remained unbeaten.
“By contrast, on the harder tyre, Heikki hadn’t managed to cut a really quick lap in Q3 by the time the session was red-flagged – but we believe that, with the benefit of another lap, he would have been able to go significantly faster. As a result, although he’s understandably disappointed that he’ll be starting the race from P10, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t put in a competitive showing tomorrow.
“Overall, then, we’re hoping to score plenty of points – but, since Lewis will be starting from pole, I grant you that that isn’t a particularly bold statement. I make no apology for that: the weather will be hot and humid, and we may even see rain; the walls are close and unforgiving; the circuit is a challenging one. But we think we’re pretty well set.”
NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
"Congratulations to Lewis for a fantastic job and his third pole position in the last four grands prix since Valencia at the end of August.
“Also, a big, big thank you to everyone in the team who worked through the night until 10 this morning to build up a different chassis for Lewis as a precaution after a problem related to a cable of our KERS Hybrid.
“Sorry for Heikki, who was strong all weekend until the last session when his first run did not work out in the expected way. After Rubens’ crash there was no time for a second run left, so Heikki has to start from 10th position.
“Strategy-wise we should be in a good position and hopefully we can fight for a win tomorrow.”
Qualifying - Hamilton on pole as Barrichello crash halts Q3
Rubens Barrichello may indirectly have helped Lewis Hamilton to pole position for the Singapore Grand Prix on Saturday evening. The world champion had lapped his McLaren in 1m 47.891s on his first run in the final qualifying session, when the Brazilian crashed his Brawn in Turn 5 on his second and final run. As the red flag came out, everyone behind Hamilton had reasoned to feel chagrined.
Sebastian Vettel had just set the fastest time in sector one for Red Bull, while Williams' Nico Rosberg had done likewise in sector two. Hamilton was also preparing to go quicker still as were Red Bull's Mark Webber, Renault's Fernando Alonso, Toyota's Timo Glock, BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica and McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen. But since Barrichello crashed 26 seconds before the chequered flag was due to fall, they were all out of luck. The grid would be formed on the basis of their first run times.
Behind Hamilton, Vettel had done 1m 48.204s for the other front row slot, followed by Rosberg on 1m 48.348s. Then came Webber on 1m 48.722s, Barrichello on 1m 48.828s, Alonso on 1m 49.054s, Glock on 1m 49.180s, Heidfeld on 1m 49.307s, Kubica on 1m 49.514s, and Kovalainen on 1m 49.778s.
Since Barrichello had his gearbox changed after the final practice session earlier this evening, however, he drops five grid places to 10th.
€t wasn't a good day for Brawn. Team mate Jenson Button surprisingly failed to make it through Q2, his lap of 1m 47.141s being good enough only for 12th in the line-up behind Kazuki Nakajima's Williams on 1m 47.013s. That was a disappointment for the Japanese driver, whose team mate Rosberg had topped the Q2 times with 1m 46.197s, far and away the fastest lap of the weekend.
Kimi Raikkonen was another with a glum face after 1m 47.177s left his Ferrari only 13th, ahead of Sebastien Buemi's Toro Rosso on 1m 47.369s and Jarno Trulli's Toyota on 1m 47.413s.
The fallers in Q1 were the Force €ndias of Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi which, at 1m 48.231s and 1m 48.792s book-ended Jaime Alguersuari's Toro Rosso (1m 48.340s), Giancarlo Fisichella's Ferrari (1m 48.350s) and Romain Grosjean's Renault (1m 48.544s. The Franco-Swiss driver caused a flutter by going down the escape road in Turn 7 on his out lap, but proceeded without hitting anything.
Sebastian Vettel had just set the fastest time in sector one for Red Bull, while Williams' Nico Rosberg had done likewise in sector two. Hamilton was also preparing to go quicker still as were Red Bull's Mark Webber, Renault's Fernando Alonso, Toyota's Timo Glock, BMW Sauber's Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica and McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen. But since Barrichello crashed 26 seconds before the chequered flag was due to fall, they were all out of luck. The grid would be formed on the basis of their first run times.
Behind Hamilton, Vettel had done 1m 48.204s for the other front row slot, followed by Rosberg on 1m 48.348s. Then came Webber on 1m 48.722s, Barrichello on 1m 48.828s, Alonso on 1m 49.054s, Glock on 1m 49.180s, Heidfeld on 1m 49.307s, Kubica on 1m 49.514s, and Kovalainen on 1m 49.778s.
Since Barrichello had his gearbox changed after the final practice session earlier this evening, however, he drops five grid places to 10th.
€t wasn't a good day for Brawn. Team mate Jenson Button surprisingly failed to make it through Q2, his lap of 1m 47.141s being good enough only for 12th in the line-up behind Kazuki Nakajima's Williams on 1m 47.013s. That was a disappointment for the Japanese driver, whose team mate Rosberg had topped the Q2 times with 1m 46.197s, far and away the fastest lap of the weekend.
Kimi Raikkonen was another with a glum face after 1m 47.177s left his Ferrari only 13th, ahead of Sebastien Buemi's Toro Rosso on 1m 47.369s and Jarno Trulli's Toyota on 1m 47.413s.
The fallers in Q1 were the Force €ndias of Adrian Sutil and Tonio Liuzzi which, at 1m 48.231s and 1m 48.792s book-ended Jaime Alguersuari's Toro Rosso (1m 48.340s), Giancarlo Fisichella's Ferrari (1m 48.350s) and Romain Grosjean's Renault (1m 48.544s. The Franco-Swiss driver caused a flutter by going down the escape road in Turn 7 on his out lap, but proceeded without hitting anything.
Monday 14 September 2009
RACE REPORT - Monza
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN MP4-24-03
Started: 15th
Finished: 6th
Fastest lap: 1m25.109s (6th)
Pitstops: one (Pr-Op)
2009 points: 20 (10th)
From fourth on the grid, Heikki started on heavy tanks and dropped two places to the Brawns, before losing a further position to Vitantonio Liuzzi. On lap four he began to notice a lack of grip from his Prime tyres – particularly on the exit of the slower corners – and was consequently passed for seventh by Fernando Alonso.
Pitting on lap 28 and switching to Options, he pushed to the finish, running seventh until Lewis’s accident on the final lap promoted him to sixth.
Heikki said afterwards: “I’m rather disappointed with today. My race began with a difficult start and that cost me several places on the first lap. Then I couldn't really push hard in the first stint because my Prime tyres didn't have the grip to allow me to attack. Things were better in the second stint on the Options, but, by then, it was too late to regain the time I’d lost in the first stint.”
LEWIS HAMILTON MP4-24-04
Started: 1st
Finished: 12th (DNF, 52 laps, accident)
Fastest lap: 1m24.802s (3rd)
Pitstops: two (Op-Pr-Pr)
2009 points: 27 (7th)
With a two-stop strategy, it was always going to be difficult for Lewis to build enough of a gap to keep the single-stopping cars behind him. Despite “pushing on every lap, like a qualifying lap”, and despite leading for much of the race, Lewis was unable to build a sufficient lead and dropped to third behind Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button as all three drivers made their final stops and raced to the flag.
Chasing down his countryman, Lewis cut the gap to Jenson to just over one second but, on the final lap and pushing harder than ever (he had just set his fastest time of the race in the first sector), he lost the back of the car at the exit of the first Lesmo and slid into the barriers.
“I wasn’t on the optimal strategy so I really had to push to make my two-stopper work,” said Lewis. “I got every tenth out of the car that I could possibly get and I didn’t make any mistakes – until the last lap. It’s unfortunate – but these things happen, it’s a racing incident. I was pushing incredibly hard on that lap to try to get close to Jenson and use KERS to pass him, then I exited the first Lesmo and the back-end got away from me and I went backwards into the wall.
“I can only say ‘sorry’ to the team – they did a great job and, although we weren’t quite as quick as the Brawns today, I pushed harder than ever, so I can feel happy about that.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“A disappointing result – there’s no point my denying that we’d expected to achieve a lot more here at Monza than a sixth place and a DNF.
“Looking at the positives, though, thankfully, Lewis walked away unharmed from what was a pretty big shunt – simply the result of his never-give-up attitude, his unquenchable desire to fight until the very last metre of the very last lap. Throughout the final stint he’d been pushing as hard as he possibly could, driving beautifully, right on the limit, in an effort to catch Jenson [Button] for second place, and he pushed just a fraction too hard – and the result was that he lost it on the exit of the first Lesmo on that final lap. He’d just gone ‘purple’ in the first sector of that final lap, in fact.
“But that’s the nature of a driver like Lewis, and there aren’t many like him: if you give it 100 per cent on every single lap, every so often you’ll give it 101 per cent – and then the result will be an ‘off’. But that’s racing, and Lewis is very definitely a racer, and we wouldn’t want him any other way.
“So, yes, we’re disappointed with our points haul today, of course we are, but we’re also pleased that our race pace was almost on a par with that of the Brawns and as quick or quicker than that of anyone else.
“Now, though, we’re already focusing on Singapore, where we intend to be every bit as competitive as we’ve been here at Monza this weekend.
NORBERT HAUG Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“That’s how it goes sometimes in motor racing. Lewis drove an excellent race and had the speed to finish on the podium. Lewis was in third place, five seconds behind the leader and catching up consistently when he crashed on the last lap – about three kilometres from the finish line.
“Heikki, starting fourth, came home sixth but three points is obviously not the reward Vodafone McLaren Mercedes would have wished for today.
“The positive side: as in Hungary and Valencia, during two of the last three races Lewis had the speed to fight for a victory and we’ll build on this performance during the final four races of the season.
“Well done to Adrian Sutil for scoring his first points of the season with a strong drive to fourth position – both he and his Force India team did an excellent job.”
Pos Driver Constructor Race Time
1 Rubens Barrichello Brawn GP 1h16:21.706
2 Jenson Button Brawn GP + 2.866
3 Kimi Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari + 30.664
4 Adrian Sutil Force India + 31.131
5 Fernando Alonso Renault + 59.182
6 Heikki Kovalainen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes + 1m00.693
7 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber + 1m22.412
8 Sebastien Vettel Red Bull Racing + 1m25.427
9 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India + 1m26.856
10 Kazuki Nakajima Williams F1 + 2m00.000
11 Timo Glock Toyota + 2:43.925
12 Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes + 1 lap
13 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso + 1 lap
14 Jarno Trulli Toyota + 1 lap
15 Romain Grosjean Renault + 1 lap
16 Nico Rosberg Williams F1 + 2 laps
Fastest Lap: A Sutil 1m24.739
Started: 15th
Finished: 6th
Fastest lap: 1m25.109s (6th)
Pitstops: one (Pr-Op)
2009 points: 20 (10th)
From fourth on the grid, Heikki started on heavy tanks and dropped two places to the Brawns, before losing a further position to Vitantonio Liuzzi. On lap four he began to notice a lack of grip from his Prime tyres – particularly on the exit of the slower corners – and was consequently passed for seventh by Fernando Alonso.
Pitting on lap 28 and switching to Options, he pushed to the finish, running seventh until Lewis’s accident on the final lap promoted him to sixth.
Heikki said afterwards: “I’m rather disappointed with today. My race began with a difficult start and that cost me several places on the first lap. Then I couldn't really push hard in the first stint because my Prime tyres didn't have the grip to allow me to attack. Things were better in the second stint on the Options, but, by then, it was too late to regain the time I’d lost in the first stint.”
LEWIS HAMILTON MP4-24-04
Started: 1st
Finished: 12th (DNF, 52 laps, accident)
Fastest lap: 1m24.802s (3rd)
Pitstops: two (Op-Pr-Pr)
2009 points: 27 (7th)
With a two-stop strategy, it was always going to be difficult for Lewis to build enough of a gap to keep the single-stopping cars behind him. Despite “pushing on every lap, like a qualifying lap”, and despite leading for much of the race, Lewis was unable to build a sufficient lead and dropped to third behind Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button as all three drivers made their final stops and raced to the flag.
Chasing down his countryman, Lewis cut the gap to Jenson to just over one second but, on the final lap and pushing harder than ever (he had just set his fastest time of the race in the first sector), he lost the back of the car at the exit of the first Lesmo and slid into the barriers.
“I wasn’t on the optimal strategy so I really had to push to make my two-stopper work,” said Lewis. “I got every tenth out of the car that I could possibly get and I didn’t make any mistakes – until the last lap. It’s unfortunate – but these things happen, it’s a racing incident. I was pushing incredibly hard on that lap to try to get close to Jenson and use KERS to pass him, then I exited the first Lesmo and the back-end got away from me and I went backwards into the wall.
“I can only say ‘sorry’ to the team – they did a great job and, although we weren’t quite as quick as the Brawns today, I pushed harder than ever, so I can feel happy about that.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“A disappointing result – there’s no point my denying that we’d expected to achieve a lot more here at Monza than a sixth place and a DNF.
“Looking at the positives, though, thankfully, Lewis walked away unharmed from what was a pretty big shunt – simply the result of his never-give-up attitude, his unquenchable desire to fight until the very last metre of the very last lap. Throughout the final stint he’d been pushing as hard as he possibly could, driving beautifully, right on the limit, in an effort to catch Jenson [Button] for second place, and he pushed just a fraction too hard – and the result was that he lost it on the exit of the first Lesmo on that final lap. He’d just gone ‘purple’ in the first sector of that final lap, in fact.
“But that’s the nature of a driver like Lewis, and there aren’t many like him: if you give it 100 per cent on every single lap, every so often you’ll give it 101 per cent – and then the result will be an ‘off’. But that’s racing, and Lewis is very definitely a racer, and we wouldn’t want him any other way.
“So, yes, we’re disappointed with our points haul today, of course we are, but we’re also pleased that our race pace was almost on a par with that of the Brawns and as quick or quicker than that of anyone else.
“Now, though, we’re already focusing on Singapore, where we intend to be every bit as competitive as we’ve been here at Monza this weekend.
NORBERT HAUG Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“That’s how it goes sometimes in motor racing. Lewis drove an excellent race and had the speed to finish on the podium. Lewis was in third place, five seconds behind the leader and catching up consistently when he crashed on the last lap – about three kilometres from the finish line.
“Heikki, starting fourth, came home sixth but three points is obviously not the reward Vodafone McLaren Mercedes would have wished for today.
“The positive side: as in Hungary and Valencia, during two of the last three races Lewis had the speed to fight for a victory and we’ll build on this performance during the final four races of the season.
“Well done to Adrian Sutil for scoring his first points of the season with a strong drive to fourth position – both he and his Force India team did an excellent job.”
Pos Driver Constructor Race Time
1 Rubens Barrichello Brawn GP 1h16:21.706
2 Jenson Button Brawn GP + 2.866
3 Kimi Raikkonen Scuderia Ferrari + 30.664
4 Adrian Sutil Force India + 31.131
5 Fernando Alonso Renault + 59.182
6 Heikki Kovalainen Vodafone McLaren Mercedes + 1m00.693
7 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber + 1m22.412
8 Sebastien Vettel Red Bull Racing + 1m25.427
9 Giancarlo Fisichella Force India + 1m26.856
10 Kazuki Nakajima Williams F1 + 2m00.000
11 Timo Glock Toyota + 2:43.925
12 Lewis Hamilton Vodafone McLaren Mercedes + 1 lap
13 Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso + 1 lap
14 Jarno Trulli Toyota + 1 lap
15 Romain Grosjean Renault + 1 lap
16 Nico Rosberg Williams F1 + 2 laps
Fastest Lap: A Sutil 1m24.739
Friday 11 September 2009
Interview with Heikki Kovalainen
McLaren.com
Take that or Nightwish?
Definitely Nightwish. (Heikki laughs)
Pasta or Pizza?
Pasta because it is healthy.
Thick crust or thin?
Thin.
Blonde or Brunette?
Which is Catherine? Brunette maybe? Yes Brunette.
Tall or short?
Medium.
Died hair or Natural?
Died hair, I have to say otherwise Catherine (Heikki’s girlfriend) will kill me, oh wait Catherine is natural now! So natural.
Christmas or birthdays?
Birthdays, I don’t find Christmas that fun, birthdays you have all your friends around for parties and at Christmas all your friends are with their families. It is still nice to spend time with your family of course.
Designer or High street?
High street, mix of both them, because I have some pretty cool Hugo Boss clothes to wear.
Corners or straights?
Corners, straights are boring.
Phone or Laptop?
Laptop.
If you could change one part of your body what would it be?
I would change my legs, they are too small, and they are out of proportion. Catherine calls them chicken legs.
If you were a pizza topping what would you be? And why?
I would be a pineapple; it’s a sweet thing in the middle of a rough outside.
What is the worst present you have ever received?
I’m not sure. I don’t get a lot of presents.
If you could be an animal what would it be?
It would be some kind of big strong animal, like a cheetah, jaguar or lion. Fast enough to run away from the bigger animals but strong enough to fight most of the other animals off.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
In GP2 racing, when I crashed into the pit wall, the tires were icy cold and I went straight out of the pit into the wall. I thought yeah yeah I know what to do. Bang straight into the pitwall. The guys were laughing.
What is your best moment?
On track winning the Hungarian grand prix, off track when I met Catherine. Actually she came over to me but I introduced myself. Then she started bombing me with text messages!
You are getting on a bit now, getting closer to 30. Do you feel old?
Yeah I do actually, now that I am 27 I feel so old. Soon it will be 30 then it will be 40! I don’t feel that it is limiting anything I do but I still feel old.
What’s the coolest thing you own?
My house is pretty cool, the one that we just finished building in Geneva. I have never owned a car; I have a company car from Norbert. I want to own a Mercedes SL65 limited black.
What is the one thing you could not live without?
My friends, family, and my girlfriend. If it was a materialistic thing, I couldn’t live without my laptop and my Blackberry storm.
What is your favourite joke?
(Unfortunately, Heikki’s joke is not quite clean enough for the website. We asked if he had any others and the answer was no the other one is much worse.)
Do you consider yourself a funny person?
No not really, I don’t consider myself funny, I consider myself relaxed and open.
What is your middle name? Do you like it?
Johannes. I don’t mind it’s different, it’s quite neutral. In Finland it’s not too popular yet it is not too rare. My dad is a Johannes too.
If you could be a superhero who would you be?
I would be superman, because he can fly and be quick.
If you had one super power what would it be?
Just to fly, just like that and I would be in Finland.
When you race your remote control cars with you and lewis, who wins?
We have only raced once, and Lewis did win. But I must point out that it was a team competition. Lewis and Nic, and me and my friend. My partner was the only driver who went in to opposite direction around the track. In lap times it is quite even between Lewis and I, we would have to see.
When you fly remote control planes, who is better?
I am much better, I haven’t shunted my plane is a long time, knock on wood. I can land, take off and I do little tricks. Normally I take off for Lewis actually, then he takes control, then he loses it and crashes the plane. He has gone through three planes now and on his fourth which he doesn’t fly as much now. His latest crash was when his battery died during the flight and it just kept on doing circles until it crashed. I have been doing it for about 3 years now and Lewis has done it much less.
I heard you play a lot of golf with Petri your trainer, who normally wins?
I win, Petri is rubbish. My golf is not good, his was better at the beginning. He has played for 5 years and I have only played for 5 months. Sometimes he beats me on the fairway but overall I beat him every time. I got a hole in one but it was lucky, it was the fourteenth hole in Geneva. It was a par 3 and a 145m shot. It was quite a big green and there was a banana shaped bunker before the green. I hit a 6 iron trying to hit longer than the hole and get two putts back to it. The hit wasn’t very long and it bounced twice on the green and click in the hole! I think it was all luck. It was only about 2 months after I started playing.
Do you have your own twitter page?
No I don’t, however I do tweet on the team’s TheFifthDriver page.
What is your ideal night?
To invite some friends around, have a nice dinner and play video games. I used to cook for the first 4 years of mine and Catherine’s relationship; I figure it’s her stint now that we are on the 7th year. The best thing I can cook is Chinese chicken, I do it from scratch. I did it for ITV and they are still alive! Then maybe play some video games while the girls can do what the girls want to do. Catherine isn’t very keen on the computer games. Then maybe a movie, that would be perfect.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a Grand Prix Weekend?
It was funny when Kimi got his hands died blue but my mechanics haven’t done anything to me yet. It was funny when I was at a test in Spain. There is a picture as I am coming out of the garage in my F1 car and Catherine is just reading a book with her legs crossed. I drive straight past her. At the time I didn’t realise afterwards what she was doing, she didn’t realise I just drove past her at 300k.
Take that or Nightwish?
Definitely Nightwish. (Heikki laughs)
Pasta or Pizza?
Pasta because it is healthy.
Thick crust or thin?
Thin.
Blonde or Brunette?
Which is Catherine? Brunette maybe? Yes Brunette.
Tall or short?
Medium.
Died hair or Natural?
Died hair, I have to say otherwise Catherine (Heikki’s girlfriend) will kill me, oh wait Catherine is natural now! So natural.
Christmas or birthdays?
Birthdays, I don’t find Christmas that fun, birthdays you have all your friends around for parties and at Christmas all your friends are with their families. It is still nice to spend time with your family of course.
Designer or High street?
High street, mix of both them, because I have some pretty cool Hugo Boss clothes to wear.
Corners or straights?
Corners, straights are boring.
Phone or Laptop?
Laptop.
If you could change one part of your body what would it be?
I would change my legs, they are too small, and they are out of proportion. Catherine calls them chicken legs.
If you were a pizza topping what would you be? And why?
I would be a pineapple; it’s a sweet thing in the middle of a rough outside.
What is the worst present you have ever received?
I’m not sure. I don’t get a lot of presents.
If you could be an animal what would it be?
It would be some kind of big strong animal, like a cheetah, jaguar or lion. Fast enough to run away from the bigger animals but strong enough to fight most of the other animals off.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
In GP2 racing, when I crashed into the pit wall, the tires were icy cold and I went straight out of the pit into the wall. I thought yeah yeah I know what to do. Bang straight into the pitwall. The guys were laughing.
What is your best moment?
On track winning the Hungarian grand prix, off track when I met Catherine. Actually she came over to me but I introduced myself. Then she started bombing me with text messages!
You are getting on a bit now, getting closer to 30. Do you feel old?
Yeah I do actually, now that I am 27 I feel so old. Soon it will be 30 then it will be 40! I don’t feel that it is limiting anything I do but I still feel old.
What’s the coolest thing you own?
My house is pretty cool, the one that we just finished building in Geneva. I have never owned a car; I have a company car from Norbert. I want to own a Mercedes SL65 limited black.
What is the one thing you could not live without?
My friends, family, and my girlfriend. If it was a materialistic thing, I couldn’t live without my laptop and my Blackberry storm.
What is your favourite joke?
(Unfortunately, Heikki’s joke is not quite clean enough for the website. We asked if he had any others and the answer was no the other one is much worse.)
Do you consider yourself a funny person?
No not really, I don’t consider myself funny, I consider myself relaxed and open.
What is your middle name? Do you like it?
Johannes. I don’t mind it’s different, it’s quite neutral. In Finland it’s not too popular yet it is not too rare. My dad is a Johannes too.
If you could be a superhero who would you be?
I would be superman, because he can fly and be quick.
If you had one super power what would it be?
Just to fly, just like that and I would be in Finland.
When you race your remote control cars with you and lewis, who wins?
We have only raced once, and Lewis did win. But I must point out that it was a team competition. Lewis and Nic, and me and my friend. My partner was the only driver who went in to opposite direction around the track. In lap times it is quite even between Lewis and I, we would have to see.
When you fly remote control planes, who is better?
I am much better, I haven’t shunted my plane is a long time, knock on wood. I can land, take off and I do little tricks. Normally I take off for Lewis actually, then he takes control, then he loses it and crashes the plane. He has gone through three planes now and on his fourth which he doesn’t fly as much now. His latest crash was when his battery died during the flight and it just kept on doing circles until it crashed. I have been doing it for about 3 years now and Lewis has done it much less.
I heard you play a lot of golf with Petri your trainer, who normally wins?
I win, Petri is rubbish. My golf is not good, his was better at the beginning. He has played for 5 years and I have only played for 5 months. Sometimes he beats me on the fairway but overall I beat him every time. I got a hole in one but it was lucky, it was the fourteenth hole in Geneva. It was a par 3 and a 145m shot. It was quite a big green and there was a banana shaped bunker before the green. I hit a 6 iron trying to hit longer than the hole and get two putts back to it. The hit wasn’t very long and it bounced twice on the green and click in the hole! I think it was all luck. It was only about 2 months after I started playing.
Do you have your own twitter page?
No I don’t, however I do tweet on the team’s TheFifthDriver page.
What is your ideal night?
To invite some friends around, have a nice dinner and play video games. I used to cook for the first 4 years of mine and Catherine’s relationship; I figure it’s her stint now that we are on the 7th year. The best thing I can cook is Chinese chicken, I do it from scratch. I did it for ITV and they are still alive! Then maybe play some video games while the girls can do what the girls want to do. Catherine isn’t very keen on the computer games. Then maybe a movie, that would be perfect.
What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you at a Grand Prix Weekend?
It was funny when Kimi got his hands died blue but my mechanics haven’t done anything to me yet. It was funny when I was at a test in Spain. There is a picture as I am coming out of the garage in my F1 car and Catherine is just reading a book with her legs crossed. I drive straight past her. At the time I didn’t realise afterwards what she was doing, she didn’t realise I just drove past her at 300k.
Monday 7 September 2009
Saturday 5 September 2009
Tuesday 1 September 2009
2009 Belgian Grand Prix
HEIKKI KOVALAINEN
MP4-24-03
Started: 15th
Finished: 6th
Fastest lap: 1m48.348s (13th)
Pitstops: one (Op- Pr)
2009 points: 17 (10th)
A textbook one-stopper for Heikki, who started from 15th position and drove faultlessly to finish sixth. He began the race on the Option tyre, made a strong start to slot into 10th. As the earlier-stopping cars pitted ahead of him, Heikki moved as high as fourth before making his sole stop of the race on lap 26.
After a switch to Primes, he rejoined 10th and enjoyed a close battle with Rubens Barrichello as he once again climbed up the order to finish sixth.
“A good race for me,” said Heikki afterwards. “Even though our overall pace here hasn’t been as good as in the two previous races, our strategy worked out perfectly and I was able to overtake a lot of the guys stopping before me.
“I want to say a big thank you to all the guys in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart for all their efforts. Today’s sixth place was the result of a strong, reliable car, a great strategy, a fantastic engine and a first-rate KERS – all of which helped me to make up nine places on my grid position today.
“We still have some work to do to be fully competitive on medium-downforce tracks, but Monza should be a different story as it’s a very low-downforce circuit and we are traditionally quite good there.
“Finally, I’m really happy for Kimi: he drove a great race and I knew he would be a tough guy to beat around this place.”
LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-05
Started: 12th
Finished: Ret (0 laps, accident)
Fastest lap: -
Pitstops: -
2009 points: 27 (7th)
Starting from 12th, Lewis’s car bogged down at the start and the anti-stall kicked in, delaying his momentum down to the first corner. Into La Source, he was pincered by two cars, snapping off part of his wing following contact with another car. Into the braking zone for Les Combes, Lewis slowed to avoid an entanglement ahead of him and was heavily broadsided by Jaime Alguersari, pitching him into the gravel and immediately out of the race.
“Some days, when things go bad they go bad – and this was just one of those days,” admitted Lewis. “I got a poor start, the anti-stall kicked in and I tried to recover, but got sandwiched at the first corner and lost a bit of my front wing. When Romain Grosjean spun Jenson around at Turn Five, everyone was trying to avoid them, so I slowed down to try and avoid the damage and got taken out by one of the drivers behind me, who was trying to avoid the accident too. A disappointing day, but we’ll come back and try to win this race next year.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Heikki drove very strongly from 15th on the grid to sixth at the finish, optimising a one-stop strategy that necessitated comparatively heavy fuel loads, and nursing his tyres judiciously all afternoon. Lewis was tapped by another car at La Source, and was then slammed into the wall at Les Combes by yet another. But that’s racing.
“On behalf of all at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I’d like to offer congratulations to Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari on the occasion of their first win of the season, and also to Giancarlo Fisichella and Force India on a sensational second place – a refreshing result that is very healthy for Formula 1 in that it demonstrates that the smaller teams are capable of turning the tables on the bigger teams from time to time.
“Returning to the subject of our team, we’d hoped to be leaving Spa with more than three world championship points – but the reality is that, although our car has been much improved recently, it still isn’t as fast as the quickest cars. But we’ll analyse that, and we’ll work on it, and we’ll hope to do better at Monza in two weeks’ time.”
NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“Both Lewis and Heikki lost places at the start, Lewis was hit in the first corner and then taken out in the third one in Les Combes. So Heikki’s sixth place is the best we could get today and this is not too bad as Heikki started from 15th.
“Congratulations to Kimi – it must be a big relief for him having achieved his first win for 25 races and compliments to Ferrari for their first victory this season. Well done to Giancarlo for second place and to McLaren-Mercedes’ customer team Force India, who showed today, from the start to the finish, that they were a real match for the winner.”
Enter article content here...
MP4-24-03
Started: 15th
Finished: 6th
Fastest lap: 1m48.348s (13th)
Pitstops: one (Op- Pr)
2009 points: 17 (10th)
A textbook one-stopper for Heikki, who started from 15th position and drove faultlessly to finish sixth. He began the race on the Option tyre, made a strong start to slot into 10th. As the earlier-stopping cars pitted ahead of him, Heikki moved as high as fourth before making his sole stop of the race on lap 26.
After a switch to Primes, he rejoined 10th and enjoyed a close battle with Rubens Barrichello as he once again climbed up the order to finish sixth.
“A good race for me,” said Heikki afterwards. “Even though our overall pace here hasn’t been as good as in the two previous races, our strategy worked out perfectly and I was able to overtake a lot of the guys stopping before me.
“I want to say a big thank you to all the guys in Woking, Brixworth and Stuttgart for all their efforts. Today’s sixth place was the result of a strong, reliable car, a great strategy, a fantastic engine and a first-rate KERS – all of which helped me to make up nine places on my grid position today.
“We still have some work to do to be fully competitive on medium-downforce tracks, but Monza should be a different story as it’s a very low-downforce circuit and we are traditionally quite good there.
“Finally, I’m really happy for Kimi: he drove a great race and I knew he would be a tough guy to beat around this place.”
LEWIS HAMILTON
MP4-24-05
Started: 12th
Finished: Ret (0 laps, accident)
Fastest lap: -
Pitstops: -
2009 points: 27 (7th)
Starting from 12th, Lewis’s car bogged down at the start and the anti-stall kicked in, delaying his momentum down to the first corner. Into La Source, he was pincered by two cars, snapping off part of his wing following contact with another car. Into the braking zone for Les Combes, Lewis slowed to avoid an entanglement ahead of him and was heavily broadsided by Jaime Alguersari, pitching him into the gravel and immediately out of the race.
“Some days, when things go bad they go bad – and this was just one of those days,” admitted Lewis. “I got a poor start, the anti-stall kicked in and I tried to recover, but got sandwiched at the first corner and lost a bit of my front wing. When Romain Grosjean spun Jenson around at Turn Five, everyone was trying to avoid them, so I slowed down to try and avoid the damage and got taken out by one of the drivers behind me, who was trying to avoid the accident too. A disappointing day, but we’ll come back and try to win this race next year.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Heikki drove very strongly from 15th on the grid to sixth at the finish, optimising a one-stop strategy that necessitated comparatively heavy fuel loads, and nursing his tyres judiciously all afternoon. Lewis was tapped by another car at La Source, and was then slammed into the wall at Les Combes by yet another. But that’s racing.
“On behalf of all at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I’d like to offer congratulations to Kimi Raikkonen and Ferrari on the occasion of their first win of the season, and also to Giancarlo Fisichella and Force India on a sensational second place – a refreshing result that is very healthy for Formula 1 in that it demonstrates that the smaller teams are capable of turning the tables on the bigger teams from time to time.
“Returning to the subject of our team, we’d hoped to be leaving Spa with more than three world championship points – but the reality is that, although our car has been much improved recently, it still isn’t as fast as the quickest cars. But we’ll analyse that, and we’ll work on it, and we’ll hope to do better at Monza in two weeks’ time.”
NORBERT HAUG
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“Both Lewis and Heikki lost places at the start, Lewis was hit in the first corner and then taken out in the third one in Les Combes. So Heikki’s sixth place is the best we could get today and this is not too bad as Heikki started from 15th.
“Congratulations to Kimi – it must be a big relief for him having achieved his first win for 25 races and compliments to Ferrari for their first victory this season. Well done to Giancarlo for second place and to McLaren-Mercedes’ customer team Force India, who showed today, from the start to the finish, that they were a real match for the winner.”
Enter article content here...
Friday 28 August 2009
Practice 2: Lewis gives McLaren boost
Lewis Hamilton showed McLaren could remain a factor at the front of the field in the Belgian Grand Prix after all by topping a fully dry afternoon practice session at Spa.
Having played down its chances of repeating its front-running form from the last two races at this more downforce-dependent circuit, McLaren ended Friday narrowly ahead on pace after Hamilton uncorked an aggressive late lap of 1m47.201s.
The world champion’s time was an inconsequential 0.016s faster than Timo Glock’s best effort, as Toyota showed Jarno Trulli’s quickest time in the rain-hit morning session wasn’t totally unrepresentative of the TF109's potential by claiming strong second and seventh places.
Spa master Kimi Raikkonen completed a ridiculously close head of the field by moving up to third late on, just 0.084s adrift of Hamilton.
However, the Finn ended the session parked on the side of the track after his Ferrari F60 ground to a halt in the closing seconds.
Championship hopeful Mark Webber had led the session for much of the hour but had to settle for fourth – albeit just 0.128s off the pace for Red Bull.
Renault rookie Romain Grosjean continued his impressive Formula 1 start by netting fifth, with Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella vaulting up the order late on to finish the day in sixth.
Just days after reigniting its season with victory in Valencia, championship leader Brawn showed little speed in the session and finished in potentially concerning 17th and 18th positions on the times.
With the entire afternoon session playing out in dry conditions, the top 18 on the times were amazingly separated by just 0.929s - an incredibly tight margin given the undulating circuit stretches to 4.35 miles in length.
A full report will follow…
Belgian Grand Prix free practice session two
1. HAMILTON McLaren 1m47.201s
2. GLOCK Toyota 1m47.217s
3. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m47.285s
4. WEBBER Red Bull 1m47.329s
5. GROSJEAN Renault 1m47.333s
6. FISICHELLA Force India 1m47.506s
7. TRULLI Toyota 1m47.559s
8. KUBICA BMW 1m47.578s
9. ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso 1m47.579s
10. VETTEL Red Bull 1m47.602s
11. BUEMI Toro Rosso 1m47.702s
12. KOVALAINEN McLaren 1m47.743s
13. SUTIL Force India 1m47.790s
14. ALONSO Renault 1m47.862s
15. NAKAJIMA Williams 1m47.961s
16. HEIDFELD BMW 1m48.017s
17. BUTTON Brawn 1m48.125s
18. BARRICHELLO Brawn 1m48.130s
19. ROSBERG Williams 1m48.360s
20. BADOER Ferrari 1m49.211s
Having played down its chances of repeating its front-running form from the last two races at this more downforce-dependent circuit, McLaren ended Friday narrowly ahead on pace after Hamilton uncorked an aggressive late lap of 1m47.201s.
The world champion’s time was an inconsequential 0.016s faster than Timo Glock’s best effort, as Toyota showed Jarno Trulli’s quickest time in the rain-hit morning session wasn’t totally unrepresentative of the TF109's potential by claiming strong second and seventh places.
Spa master Kimi Raikkonen completed a ridiculously close head of the field by moving up to third late on, just 0.084s adrift of Hamilton.
However, the Finn ended the session parked on the side of the track after his Ferrari F60 ground to a halt in the closing seconds.
Championship hopeful Mark Webber had led the session for much of the hour but had to settle for fourth – albeit just 0.128s off the pace for Red Bull.
Renault rookie Romain Grosjean continued his impressive Formula 1 start by netting fifth, with Force India’s Giancarlo Fisichella vaulting up the order late on to finish the day in sixth.
Just days after reigniting its season with victory in Valencia, championship leader Brawn showed little speed in the session and finished in potentially concerning 17th and 18th positions on the times.
With the entire afternoon session playing out in dry conditions, the top 18 on the times were amazingly separated by just 0.929s - an incredibly tight margin given the undulating circuit stretches to 4.35 miles in length.
A full report will follow…
Belgian Grand Prix free practice session two
1. HAMILTON McLaren 1m47.201s
2. GLOCK Toyota 1m47.217s
3. RAIKKONEN Ferrari 1m47.285s
4. WEBBER Red Bull 1m47.329s
5. GROSJEAN Renault 1m47.333s
6. FISICHELLA Force India 1m47.506s
7. TRULLI Toyota 1m47.559s
8. KUBICA BMW 1m47.578s
9. ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso 1m47.579s
10. VETTEL Red Bull 1m47.602s
11. BUEMI Toro Rosso 1m47.702s
12. KOVALAINEN McLaren 1m47.743s
13. SUTIL Force India 1m47.790s
14. ALONSO Renault 1m47.862s
15. NAKAJIMA Williams 1m47.961s
16. HEIDFELD BMW 1m48.017s
17. BUTTON Brawn 1m48.125s
18. BARRICHELLO Brawn 1m48.130s
19. ROSBERG Williams 1m48.360s
20. BADOER Ferrari 1m49.211s
Wednesday 26 August 2009
Belgian Grand Prix Preview
Lewis Hamilton
“Like Monaco, Silverstone and Monza, it’s one of the historic circuits that I grew up watching on television when I was younger – which makes it just that bit more special for me, because it’s so easy to imagine the heroes of the past racing here. It’s also a magnificent circuit, a place where you can really push the limits of a Formula 1 car: driving through Eau Rouge, Pouhon or Blanchimont is an incredible sensation – your whole body is on the limit and you are still pushing to go faster still. I love Spa – I don’t think it should ever leave the Formula 1 calendar.”
Heikki Kovalainen
“I think everyone in Formula 1 looks forward to Spa. For the drivers, the circuit is a fantastic challenge: unlike some of the places we visit, Spa has real character, and it’s a place where the confidence and commitment of the driver can make a difference. The big corners mean you need to be brave and take risks – and also mean you’ll have a big accident if you get it wrong. I love this place, I think it’s the best circuit on the calendar.”
Martin Whitmarsh
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Despite making some major improvements to MP4-24, we go to Spa knowing that the circuit’s high-speed configuration is unlikely to play to our strengths of our car. Having said that, our new technical package makes us confident that we’ll be a strong contender for points as we look to improve on our fourth position in the constructors’ championship. We’ve enjoyed a tremendous record here, winning 10 times, and both Lewis and Heikki love this place so I’m looking forward to another exciting race.”
Norbert Haug,
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“Spa has every element to make a circuit interesting, from long and demanding corners like Pouhon and Stavelot to the tight hairpin La Source which can be taken at a speed of only 70km/h. We have won four of the previous eight grands prix at this demanding circuit, the one with the second highest average speed after Monza of all grand prix circuits. The last two grands prix at Budapest and Valencia have completely different characteristics and according to experience at Spa there will hardly be tropical temperatures like at the previous two races. In these two races, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes scored 27 of 36 possible points - no other team was more successful. After 46 races, Lewis continues to be the driver in the field who during this period, since the beginning of the 2007 season, scored the most points and wins and he started almost half of his Formula 1 races from the front row. Only twice he did not finish. Heikki showed a good upward trend with second on the grid and fourth in the race lately. Spa will be a big challenge for everybody in the team and I don’t see us in a position to perform there as well as in the previous two races. Nevertheless, we approach the second grand prix which will be held within eight days after the summer break with great impetus and very positively - at least, our hit rate there was not so bad in the previous eight grands prix.”
McLaren at the Belgian Grand Prix…
10 years ago (August 29 1999)
Victory went to David Coulthard, pole and fastest lap to Mika Hakkinen. The pair touched at the first corner, enabling the Scot to establish a decisive lead over the Finn that he maintained to the end. Mika finished second – 10 seconds behind.
20 years ago (August 27 1989)
McLaren dominates the race – Ayrton Senna dominates the race driving an MP4/5, leading every lap from pole position. Team-mate Alain Prost ably backs him up, setting fastest lap on his way to runner-up spot.
30 years ago (May 13 1979)
John Watson salvages a point for the team, starting 19th but climbing to a points finish in sixth at the wheel of an M28B at Zolder. Watson’s team-mate Patrick Tambay underlines the team’s poor form by failing to qualify his M26.
“Like Monaco, Silverstone and Monza, it’s one of the historic circuits that I grew up watching on television when I was younger – which makes it just that bit more special for me, because it’s so easy to imagine the heroes of the past racing here. It’s also a magnificent circuit, a place where you can really push the limits of a Formula 1 car: driving through Eau Rouge, Pouhon or Blanchimont is an incredible sensation – your whole body is on the limit and you are still pushing to go faster still. I love Spa – I don’t think it should ever leave the Formula 1 calendar.”
Heikki Kovalainen
“I think everyone in Formula 1 looks forward to Spa. For the drivers, the circuit is a fantastic challenge: unlike some of the places we visit, Spa has real character, and it’s a place where the confidence and commitment of the driver can make a difference. The big corners mean you need to be brave and take risks – and also mean you’ll have a big accident if you get it wrong. I love this place, I think it’s the best circuit on the calendar.”
Martin Whitmarsh
Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“Despite making some major improvements to MP4-24, we go to Spa knowing that the circuit’s high-speed configuration is unlikely to play to our strengths of our car. Having said that, our new technical package makes us confident that we’ll be a strong contender for points as we look to improve on our fourth position in the constructors’ championship. We’ve enjoyed a tremendous record here, winning 10 times, and both Lewis and Heikki love this place so I’m looking forward to another exciting race.”
Norbert Haug,
Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“Spa has every element to make a circuit interesting, from long and demanding corners like Pouhon and Stavelot to the tight hairpin La Source which can be taken at a speed of only 70km/h. We have won four of the previous eight grands prix at this demanding circuit, the one with the second highest average speed after Monza of all grand prix circuits. The last two grands prix at Budapest and Valencia have completely different characteristics and according to experience at Spa there will hardly be tropical temperatures like at the previous two races. In these two races, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes scored 27 of 36 possible points - no other team was more successful. After 46 races, Lewis continues to be the driver in the field who during this period, since the beginning of the 2007 season, scored the most points and wins and he started almost half of his Formula 1 races from the front row. Only twice he did not finish. Heikki showed a good upward trend with second on the grid and fourth in the race lately. Spa will be a big challenge for everybody in the team and I don’t see us in a position to perform there as well as in the previous two races. Nevertheless, we approach the second grand prix which will be held within eight days after the summer break with great impetus and very positively - at least, our hit rate there was not so bad in the previous eight grands prix.”
McLaren at the Belgian Grand Prix…
10 years ago (August 29 1999)
Victory went to David Coulthard, pole and fastest lap to Mika Hakkinen. The pair touched at the first corner, enabling the Scot to establish a decisive lead over the Finn that he maintained to the end. Mika finished second – 10 seconds behind.
20 years ago (August 27 1989)
McLaren dominates the race – Ayrton Senna dominates the race driving an MP4/5, leading every lap from pole position. Team-mate Alain Prost ably backs him up, setting fastest lap on his way to runner-up spot.
30 years ago (May 13 1979)
John Watson salvages a point for the team, starting 19th but climbing to a points finish in sixth at the wheel of an M28B at Zolder. Watson’s team-mate Patrick Tambay underlines the team’s poor form by failing to qualify his M26.
Sunday 23 August 2009
Hamilton does not blame team
Lewis Hamilton refused to blame his McLaren team after a pit-stop blunder affected his race and may have cost him victory in Valencia, leaving him to finish second behind Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello.
Hamilton had led the majority of the race from pole position, but was coming under attack from the slightly heavier-fuelled Barrichello in the middle stint before his hopes of staying ahead of him were wrecked by a tyre mix-up at his final stop.
But rather than point the finger at his team for the mistake, the reigning world champion instead chose to focus on the fact that his second place acted as further proof that the team has turned around poor early-season form.
"We win and we lose together,” he said.
“We had a tremendous effort to get us here so we cannot at all take second place for granted or be disappointed we didn't get the win because we've had extraordinary pace and it was a tremendous effort from everyone.”
Asked specifically about the blunder at his second pit stop when the tyres weren’t ready for his arrival and time was lost as their blankets were removed, he said: "These things happen and I've had so many races for this team and this hardly ever happens and it's only the second time, I think.”
Talking of the pace of Brawn GP, Hamilton said: “We need to catch these guys up because I believe they are a little but quicker than us, but we're pushing all the time."
Hamilton’s second place moved him up to sixth place in the drivers’ standings.
Hamilton had led the majority of the race from pole position, but was coming under attack from the slightly heavier-fuelled Barrichello in the middle stint before his hopes of staying ahead of him were wrecked by a tyre mix-up at his final stop.
But rather than point the finger at his team for the mistake, the reigning world champion instead chose to focus on the fact that his second place acted as further proof that the team has turned around poor early-season form.
"We win and we lose together,” he said.
“We had a tremendous effort to get us here so we cannot at all take second place for granted or be disappointed we didn't get the win because we've had extraordinary pace and it was a tremendous effort from everyone.”
Asked specifically about the blunder at his second pit stop when the tyres weren’t ready for his arrival and time was lost as their blankets were removed, he said: "These things happen and I've had so many races for this team and this hardly ever happens and it's only the second time, I think.”
Talking of the pace of Brawn GP, Hamilton said: “We need to catch these guys up because I believe they are a little but quicker than us, but we're pushing all the time."
Hamilton’s second place moved him up to sixth place in the drivers’ standings.
Saturday 22 August 2009
Lewis heads all McLaren front-row
Lewis Hamilton underlined McLaren’s stunning resurgence by claiming his first pole position of the season as the team secured a front-row lock-out on the streets of Valencia.
Fresh from his first win of his largely dismal title defence before Formula 1’s summer break in Hungary, the Briton produced a one-lap Q3 wonder to beat team-mate Heikki Kovalainen to pole by 0.034s with a 1m39.498s.
Rubens Barrichello confirmed Brawn's return to something close to its best form with a fine third, while Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel pipped points leader and title rival Jenson Button in the other Brawn to fourth.
However, the title contenders would arguably have been chasing Kovalainen, rather than Hamilton, at the very front in Sunday's race had the under-pressure Finn not made a costly mistake towards the end of his crucial final lap.
Kovalainen – told to raise his game by team boss Martin Whitmarsh this week if he wants to remain at the team into 2010 – had looked odds-on to claim just his second career pole after going quickest through the first two sectors.
But he got out shape going over a kerb coming out of the fast penultimate corner, which destabilised his car’s MP4-24 back-end for the left-handed final turn, and meant he came up short.
It meant Hamilton had the luxury of aborting his own final lap, having banged in his eventual benchmark time on his very first Q3 effort – an impressive turnaround considering he missed virtually all of Friday’s second practice session after damaging his upgraded MP4-24 in a spin.
With the fight for pole eventually proving an all-McLaren affair, the title contenders had to settle for the second and third rows at best with Barrichello confirming Brawn’s liking for the sweltering Valencia conditions with third having topped low-fuel Q2.
The Brazilian only completed one Q3 run, as did Vettel - the Red Bull ace recovering impressively from his morning engine failure to edge out Button for the second row by a mere 0.031s.
Fifth-placed Button’s nearest points rival, however, Mark Webber had to settle for ninth place as his struggle with the Red Bull around the fast street circuit continued.
With Luca Badoer continuing to lap a long, long way off the pace, Kimi Raikkonen carried Ferrari to sixth on the grid with a late improvement to nip ahead of Williams’s ever consistent Nico Rosberg.
Home favourite Fernando Alonso couldn’t repeat either his impressive Friday form or his Hungary pole and had to settle for eighth ahead of the struggling Webber.
And just weeks after confirming it would be pulling out of the sport at the end of the season, BMW’s latest car upgrades helped returned it and Robert Kubica to the top 10 for the first time since Turkey in June.
The sister car of Nick Heidfeld will start immediately behind on row six after missing out on his first Q3 appearance of the year, at the expense of Raikkonen, by 0.044s.
Adrian Sutil confirmed the improvement Force India had shown throughout practice in its heavily upgraded car by taking a dry-weather high of 12th, ahead of Timo Glock as Toyota endured a disappointing session.
Renault rookie Romain Grosjean hit his target of making Q2 and will line up a solid 14th as his steady debut race weekend continued, the GP2 graduate lapping within a respectable 0.32s of team leader Alonso’s second session time.
Meanwhile, fellow young-gun Sebastian Buemi made the second stage for the second successive weekend for Toro Rosso and will head up row eight.
Giancarlo Fisichella had probably expected to be in Q2 too given Force India’s practice form, but the Italian veteran failed to clear the first hurdle after best lap was 0.4s slower than team-mate Sutil, leaving him 16th on the grid.
Similarly disappointed will be Kazuki Nakajima after the Japanese driver, who had run comfortably in the top 10 throughout practice, failed to clear the first hurdle after his Williams stopped on track in the middle sector.
The Japanese driver now looks unlikely to open his 2009 points account from 17th on the grid with the stop-start circuit offering few overtaking opportunities.
Jarno Trulli never looked likely to progress in the second stage and could only set the 18th quickest time, the Italian’s Toyota a world away from the pace that secured him fifth place in last year’s inaugural race.
Jamie Alguersuari will again start on the back row for his second F1 race as the 19-year-old teenager failed to fully get to grips with the Toro Rosso around the physically-demanding street venue, lapping a full second slower than Buemi in his first home grand prix.
However, while struggling himself, his lack of speed relative to his team-mate was nothing compared to Badoer, whose troubled F1 return after a decade on the sidelines failed arguably got even worse in Q1.
Having lapped 2.6s slower than team-mate Raikkonen and 1.5s off Alguersuari alone, the 38-year-old may now need to pull out something special in Sunday’s race if Ferrari isn’t seriously to reconsider its decision to keep him in the car until Felipe Massa’s return.
European GP starting grid
1. HAMILTON McLaren
2. KOVALAINEN McLaren
3. BARRICHELLO Brawn
4. VETTEL Red Bull
5. BUTTON Brawn
6. RAIKKONEN Ferrari
7. ROSBERG William
8. ALONSO Renault
9. WEBBER Red Bull
10. KUBICA BMW
11. HEIDFELD BMW
12. SUTIL Force India
13. GLOCK Toyota
14. GROSJEAN Renault
15. BUEMI Toro Rosso
16. FISICHELLA Force India
17. NAKAJIMA Williams
18. TRULLI Toyota
19. ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso
20. BADOER Ferrari
Fresh from his first win of his largely dismal title defence before Formula 1’s summer break in Hungary, the Briton produced a one-lap Q3 wonder to beat team-mate Heikki Kovalainen to pole by 0.034s with a 1m39.498s.
Rubens Barrichello confirmed Brawn's return to something close to its best form with a fine third, while Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel pipped points leader and title rival Jenson Button in the other Brawn to fourth.
However, the title contenders would arguably have been chasing Kovalainen, rather than Hamilton, at the very front in Sunday's race had the under-pressure Finn not made a costly mistake towards the end of his crucial final lap.
Kovalainen – told to raise his game by team boss Martin Whitmarsh this week if he wants to remain at the team into 2010 – had looked odds-on to claim just his second career pole after going quickest through the first two sectors.
But he got out shape going over a kerb coming out of the fast penultimate corner, which destabilised his car’s MP4-24 back-end for the left-handed final turn, and meant he came up short.
It meant Hamilton had the luxury of aborting his own final lap, having banged in his eventual benchmark time on his very first Q3 effort – an impressive turnaround considering he missed virtually all of Friday’s second practice session after damaging his upgraded MP4-24 in a spin.
With the fight for pole eventually proving an all-McLaren affair, the title contenders had to settle for the second and third rows at best with Barrichello confirming Brawn’s liking for the sweltering Valencia conditions with third having topped low-fuel Q2.
The Brazilian only completed one Q3 run, as did Vettel - the Red Bull ace recovering impressively from his morning engine failure to edge out Button for the second row by a mere 0.031s.
Fifth-placed Button’s nearest points rival, however, Mark Webber had to settle for ninth place as his struggle with the Red Bull around the fast street circuit continued.
With Luca Badoer continuing to lap a long, long way off the pace, Kimi Raikkonen carried Ferrari to sixth on the grid with a late improvement to nip ahead of Williams’s ever consistent Nico Rosberg.
Home favourite Fernando Alonso couldn’t repeat either his impressive Friday form or his Hungary pole and had to settle for eighth ahead of the struggling Webber.
And just weeks after confirming it would be pulling out of the sport at the end of the season, BMW’s latest car upgrades helped returned it and Robert Kubica to the top 10 for the first time since Turkey in June.
The sister car of Nick Heidfeld will start immediately behind on row six after missing out on his first Q3 appearance of the year, at the expense of Raikkonen, by 0.044s.
Adrian Sutil confirmed the improvement Force India had shown throughout practice in its heavily upgraded car by taking a dry-weather high of 12th, ahead of Timo Glock as Toyota endured a disappointing session.
Renault rookie Romain Grosjean hit his target of making Q2 and will line up a solid 14th as his steady debut race weekend continued, the GP2 graduate lapping within a respectable 0.32s of team leader Alonso’s second session time.
Meanwhile, fellow young-gun Sebastian Buemi made the second stage for the second successive weekend for Toro Rosso and will head up row eight.
Giancarlo Fisichella had probably expected to be in Q2 too given Force India’s practice form, but the Italian veteran failed to clear the first hurdle after best lap was 0.4s slower than team-mate Sutil, leaving him 16th on the grid.
Similarly disappointed will be Kazuki Nakajima after the Japanese driver, who had run comfortably in the top 10 throughout practice, failed to clear the first hurdle after his Williams stopped on track in the middle sector.
The Japanese driver now looks unlikely to open his 2009 points account from 17th on the grid with the stop-start circuit offering few overtaking opportunities.
Jarno Trulli never looked likely to progress in the second stage and could only set the 18th quickest time, the Italian’s Toyota a world away from the pace that secured him fifth place in last year’s inaugural race.
Jamie Alguersuari will again start on the back row for his second F1 race as the 19-year-old teenager failed to fully get to grips with the Toro Rosso around the physically-demanding street venue, lapping a full second slower than Buemi in his first home grand prix.
However, while struggling himself, his lack of speed relative to his team-mate was nothing compared to Badoer, whose troubled F1 return after a decade on the sidelines failed arguably got even worse in Q1.
Having lapped 2.6s slower than team-mate Raikkonen and 1.5s off Alguersuari alone, the 38-year-old may now need to pull out something special in Sunday’s race if Ferrari isn’t seriously to reconsider its decision to keep him in the car until Felipe Massa’s return.
European GP starting grid
1. HAMILTON McLaren
2. KOVALAINEN McLaren
3. BARRICHELLO Brawn
4. VETTEL Red Bull
5. BUTTON Brawn
6. RAIKKONEN Ferrari
7. ROSBERG William
8. ALONSO Renault
9. WEBBER Red Bull
10. KUBICA BMW
11. HEIDFELD BMW
12. SUTIL Force India
13. GLOCK Toyota
14. GROSJEAN Renault
15. BUEMI Toro Rosso
16. FISICHELLA Force India
17. NAKAJIMA Williams
18. TRULLI Toyota
19. ALGUERSUARI Toro Rosso
20. BADOER Ferrari
Friday 21 August 2009
McLaren experiments with new chassis
McLaren has revealed that it is experimenting with a shorter wheelbase car this weekend in a bid to help boost its victory chances in the closing stages of the season.
Fresh from its breakthrough win in Hungary four weeks ago, McLaren has continued its aggressive development plans for the MP4-24 - and part of that has included an evaluation of a shorter wheelbase car that it thinks will help it at the forthcoming races.
The new car caused a major headache for the team in Valencia, however, because there was no spare nose for it after Lewis Hamilton spun early in second practice - meaning he had to sit out the remainder of the session.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "Like everyone we have had a shut-down between the last race and this race, so that has given an extra challenge to everyone at all the factories.
"Everyone has been working hard; I am sure in all the teams, certainly in ours. We have got a series of upgrade packages as evident from today, though maybe not a sufficient number of those parts. But we had a new front wing package here that we tried with Heikki (Kovalainen) this morning.
"We have had some floor modifications which we tried with Lewis (Hamilton) and we were running a shorter wheel-base version of the car with Lewis today, really something that we are looking for the higher speed circuits, probably frankly for the benefit of Spa and beyond.
"We are still pushing hard on this year's car. I think everyone is. That is just how competitive Formula One is today. You have to continue to improve every race but clearly we are in a slightly different position from Ross and Red Bull as we have got to concentrate and make sure that we come out of the box next year with a quick car. There is a tremendous amount of effort to do that as well."
Speaking about the impact of Hamilton being forced out of practice after damaging his nose, Whitmarsh said he was more frustrated than anything by the situation.
"We knew that if you change the wheel base you have to change the floor, the nose and the front wing assembly as well as we had moved the front axle position," he said.
"In doing that we had insufficient parts. Lewis damaged the nose cone at the start of P2 and we have got parts that are literally in transit here. I don't feel embarrassed about it. I feel frustrated. There are some issues in Formula One for all the sensible prudent reasons that we have progressively cut down testing, the number of things that result from that, is that one we have got to be concerned about developing young drivers in the future."
He added: "We are just pushing hard to develop the car, use Fridays as a test day and on this particular situation we were unfortunately left not being able to run. It is frustrating as I say, not embarrassing but I think both drivers are fairly comfortable where the car is and I am sure tomorrow the circuit will have evolved a little bit more and I think we can be competitive. But it is not nice having to sit there for nearly an hour-and-half not being able to run the cars."
Fresh from its breakthrough win in Hungary four weeks ago, McLaren has continued its aggressive development plans for the MP4-24 - and part of that has included an evaluation of a shorter wheelbase car that it thinks will help it at the forthcoming races.
The new car caused a major headache for the team in Valencia, however, because there was no spare nose for it after Lewis Hamilton spun early in second practice - meaning he had to sit out the remainder of the session.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "Like everyone we have had a shut-down between the last race and this race, so that has given an extra challenge to everyone at all the factories.
"Everyone has been working hard; I am sure in all the teams, certainly in ours. We have got a series of upgrade packages as evident from today, though maybe not a sufficient number of those parts. But we had a new front wing package here that we tried with Heikki (Kovalainen) this morning.
"We have had some floor modifications which we tried with Lewis (Hamilton) and we were running a shorter wheel-base version of the car with Lewis today, really something that we are looking for the higher speed circuits, probably frankly for the benefit of Spa and beyond.
"We are still pushing hard on this year's car. I think everyone is. That is just how competitive Formula One is today. You have to continue to improve every race but clearly we are in a slightly different position from Ross and Red Bull as we have got to concentrate and make sure that we come out of the box next year with a quick car. There is a tremendous amount of effort to do that as well."
Speaking about the impact of Hamilton being forced out of practice after damaging his nose, Whitmarsh said he was more frustrated than anything by the situation.
"We knew that if you change the wheel base you have to change the floor, the nose and the front wing assembly as well as we had moved the front axle position," he said.
"In doing that we had insufficient parts. Lewis damaged the nose cone at the start of P2 and we have got parts that are literally in transit here. I don't feel embarrassed about it. I feel frustrated. There are some issues in Formula One for all the sensible prudent reasons that we have progressively cut down testing, the number of things that result from that, is that one we have got to be concerned about developing young drivers in the future."
He added: "We are just pushing hard to develop the car, use Fridays as a test day and on this particular situation we were unfortunately left not being able to run. It is frustrating as I say, not embarrassing but I think both drivers are fairly comfortable where the car is and I am sure tomorrow the circuit will have evolved a little bit more and I think we can be competitive. But it is not nice having to sit there for nearly an hour-and-half not being able to run the cars."
McLaren awaits Alonso Ferrari move
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says his outfit is happy to hold back on a decision about its 2010 driver line-up because he believes the market will be blown wide open once Fernando Alonso's move to Ferrari is confirmed.
Heikki Kovalainen's future with McLaren is in doubt unless the Finn delivers an upturn in performance in the next few races - but Whitmarsh insists there is no rush for his team to make a swift decision about what to do.
And he suspects that Alonso's 2010 Ferrari deal is done, with continued speculation there will be announcement confirming the move at the Italian Grand Prix.
"At the moment we have not, and we are not in any conversations with drivers and we will see in the future," Whitmarsh told the BBC about his team's driver plans going forward.
"I think in reality there are some changes probably with Fernando at Ferrari. That frees up the driver market and every year there is a number of pivotal points during the season which determine what is going to happen in the driver market.
"This year I think we all know that the Fernando/Ferrari move has a knock-on and that ripples through the other teams.
"Clearly the BMW withdrawal has also had an impact. I think we don't see a need at the moment to rush into it, we are concentrating on developing the car and making sure we are more competitive, which I hope we will be this weekend."
Whitmarsh said the focus for Kovalainen's improvement was in producing more pace in the race, rather than speed in qualifying.
"I think Heikki is doing a great job as a team player. He is very, very popular in the team and he has done some great qualifying," he said.
"He knows and we know that he has got to a better job during the race. He has got to be more consistent with his race pace. So he is working hard to do that.
"We are not talking to any other drivers at the moment, we want to see Heikki be successful in this team but at the same time we are obliged to have as competitive drivers as we can, so he knows what he has got to do. He'll be working hard and who knows this weekend maybe he can do a good job."
Heikki Kovalainen's future with McLaren is in doubt unless the Finn delivers an upturn in performance in the next few races - but Whitmarsh insists there is no rush for his team to make a swift decision about what to do.
And he suspects that Alonso's 2010 Ferrari deal is done, with continued speculation there will be announcement confirming the move at the Italian Grand Prix.
"At the moment we have not, and we are not in any conversations with drivers and we will see in the future," Whitmarsh told the BBC about his team's driver plans going forward.
"I think in reality there are some changes probably with Fernando at Ferrari. That frees up the driver market and every year there is a number of pivotal points during the season which determine what is going to happen in the driver market.
"This year I think we all know that the Fernando/Ferrari move has a knock-on and that ripples through the other teams.
"Clearly the BMW withdrawal has also had an impact. I think we don't see a need at the moment to rush into it, we are concentrating on developing the car and making sure we are more competitive, which I hope we will be this weekend."
Whitmarsh said the focus for Kovalainen's improvement was in producing more pace in the race, rather than speed in qualifying.
"I think Heikki is doing a great job as a team player. He is very, very popular in the team and he has done some great qualifying," he said.
"He knows and we know that he has got to a better job during the race. He has got to be more consistent with his race pace. So he is working hard to do that.
"We are not talking to any other drivers at the moment, we want to see Heikki be successful in this team but at the same time we are obliged to have as competitive drivers as we can, so he knows what he has got to do. He'll be working hard and who knows this weekend maybe he can do a good job."
Lewis confident of continuing revival in Valencia
Lewis Hamilton says McLaren's Hungary victory has given the team a major boost going into the final stretch of the season and says it will now do everything it can to stay in race-winning contention.
The world champion and his Woking team endured a dismal start to the season, finishing in the points just three times in the opening nine rounds, before a big upgrade package introduced at the Nurburgring propelled it back up the grid and then helped Hamilton score his first win since last October in Budapest.
With the team now aiming to consolidate its Hungaroring form, Hamilton is confident that this success can be replicated; although he remained realistic on his targets given the level of competition around.
"We are going to do the best job we can," he said in Thursday's pre-event press conference in Valencia.
"Again we just have to take it race by race.
"We know we have got a lot of very competitive teams around us who will continue to improve during the season but it is just a great feeling for us to know that we have that competitiveness back in the car."
After his victory in Budapest, Hamilton was full of admiration for his team, explaining how their determination to get back on top of the podium has driven him on through the tough start to 2009.
"No one lost the determination," he said.
"Everyone just kept pushing and even I have been back to the factory and seen everyone’s determination and enthusiasm and it had an impact on me," said Hamilton.
"It is just a family environment with us all pushing together and working to achieve our goals."
Hamilton highlighted the team's never-say-die spirit for its amazing turnaround in form, admitting the employees at its Woking factory had been putting in long hours for most of the season.
"Everyone was working way overtime and whilst we were making those changes to catch up, everyone was making a step forward, so perhaps you did not see the impact it had but in the car we felt it bit by bit get better," he explained.
"Clearly at the last two races we had made a much, much bigger step to be able to keep up with the other guys.
"That is really just due to the team never giving up and never thinking for a second I am going to leave that aside, I am going to leave it for another day."
The world champion and his Woking team endured a dismal start to the season, finishing in the points just three times in the opening nine rounds, before a big upgrade package introduced at the Nurburgring propelled it back up the grid and then helped Hamilton score his first win since last October in Budapest.
With the team now aiming to consolidate its Hungaroring form, Hamilton is confident that this success can be replicated; although he remained realistic on his targets given the level of competition around.
"We are going to do the best job we can," he said in Thursday's pre-event press conference in Valencia.
"Again we just have to take it race by race.
"We know we have got a lot of very competitive teams around us who will continue to improve during the season but it is just a great feeling for us to know that we have that competitiveness back in the car."
After his victory in Budapest, Hamilton was full of admiration for his team, explaining how their determination to get back on top of the podium has driven him on through the tough start to 2009.
"No one lost the determination," he said.
"Everyone just kept pushing and even I have been back to the factory and seen everyone’s determination and enthusiasm and it had an impact on me," said Hamilton.
"It is just a family environment with us all pushing together and working to achieve our goals."
Hamilton highlighted the team's never-say-die spirit for its amazing turnaround in form, admitting the employees at its Woking factory had been putting in long hours for most of the season.
"Everyone was working way overtime and whilst we were making those changes to catch up, everyone was making a step forward, so perhaps you did not see the impact it had but in the car we felt it bit by bit get better," he explained.
"Clearly at the last two races we had made a much, much bigger step to be able to keep up with the other guys.
"That is really just due to the team never giving up and never thinking for a second I am going to leave that aside, I am going to leave it for another day."
Wednesday 19 August 2009
Kovalainen told to raise his game
Heikki Kovalainen has been told that he needs to raise his game over the remainder of the season if he is to have any chance of keeping hold of his seat at McLaren in 2010.
AUTOSPORT understands that Kovalainen's option for next year with McLaren has now lapsed, although the team has not ruled out retaining the Finn. Team principal Martin Whitmarsh has made it clear however that Kovalainen needs to deliver more in the next few races than he has shown so far this season - and the Finn was informed of the situation during a factory visit on Wednesday.
"Heikki is doing, as a team player, a fantastic job in this team," Whitmarsh said in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 'Phone-In' media call. "On his own evaluation he has not raced as well as he would have liked and we would have liked him to this year.
"I was frankly just talking to him on the subject a few minutes before this call. He is working hard...
"A lot of us want to see Heikki get some good results this year, and that will ensure that he remains with us. That is certainly our wish. His goal going into Valencia this weekend is to win - and he is capable of winning the race this weekend.
"He has been a good qualifier, he has done some good qualifying times, and he is capable of qualifying well and winning this race. So that is what he is going to focus on, and I've just had that conversation with him. Then on Sunday evening he will start thinking about Spa, and that is what we want him to focus on - not all the speculation."
In a boost to Kovalainen's situation, McLaren is adamant it has not begun discussions with any other driver yet about a seat in 2010, despite fresh rumours linking Nico Rosberg with the outfit now that the German's previous likely destination BMW Sauber is out of F1.
"Speculation is normal," said Whitmarsh. "We are not commenting on it, but I can confirm that contrary to some of the speculation we are not in discussions with any other drivers outside this team at the moment."
And, denying any talk that McLaren was under pressure to take a German driver to appease engine partner Mercedes-Benz, Whitmarsh said: "In terms of nationality, obviously some nationalities from a marketing perspective are more convenient, but McLaren continues to have the strategy and policy that we will get the two best drivers in our cars every season, and that is what we will continue to do."
AUTOSPORT understands that Kovalainen's option for next year with McLaren has now lapsed, although the team has not ruled out retaining the Finn. Team principal Martin Whitmarsh has made it clear however that Kovalainen needs to deliver more in the next few races than he has shown so far this season - and the Finn was informed of the situation during a factory visit on Wednesday.
"Heikki is doing, as a team player, a fantastic job in this team," Whitmarsh said in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes 'Phone-In' media call. "On his own evaluation he has not raced as well as he would have liked and we would have liked him to this year.
"I was frankly just talking to him on the subject a few minutes before this call. He is working hard...
"A lot of us want to see Heikki get some good results this year, and that will ensure that he remains with us. That is certainly our wish. His goal going into Valencia this weekend is to win - and he is capable of winning the race this weekend.
"He has been a good qualifier, he has done some good qualifying times, and he is capable of qualifying well and winning this race. So that is what he is going to focus on, and I've just had that conversation with him. Then on Sunday evening he will start thinking about Spa, and that is what we want him to focus on - not all the speculation."
In a boost to Kovalainen's situation, McLaren is adamant it has not begun discussions with any other driver yet about a seat in 2010, despite fresh rumours linking Nico Rosberg with the outfit now that the German's previous likely destination BMW Sauber is out of F1.
"Speculation is normal," said Whitmarsh. "We are not commenting on it, but I can confirm that contrary to some of the speculation we are not in discussions with any other drivers outside this team at the moment."
And, denying any talk that McLaren was under pressure to take a German driver to appease engine partner Mercedes-Benz, Whitmarsh said: "In terms of nationality, obviously some nationalities from a marketing perspective are more convenient, but McLaren continues to have the strategy and policy that we will get the two best drivers in our cars every season, and that is what we will continue to do."
New parts boost McLaren victory bid
McLaren's bid to win its second consecutive race in Valencia this weekend will be boosted by a new front wing and rear floor - and the fact the team now believes KERS is a big benefit.
Recent improvements to the car helped Lewis Hamilton take the team's first win of the season in Hungary before the summer break, and hopes are high that another good result could be on the cards this time out.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh revealed on Wednesday that improvements brought to the car would be tried out separately by Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen in first practice for the European GP.
"This coming weekend we have a new front wing system for the car to hopefully bring some more performance," said Whitmarsh during a 'Phone-in' media call on Wednesday.
"You will see that will be on one car in P1, with the new rear floor on the other car in P1...we need to back-to-back the new front wing and rear floor modifications, so by P2 both cars will have converged on the same specification."
Added to the outright car improvements, Whitmarsh believes that its KERS could give it a decisive edge now that its MP4-24 is near the front of the field.
"Now there is no doubt that KERS is an advantage," he explained. "We have potentially a small lap time advantage, we have an overtake or defend advantage and certainly, if we can get near the front of the grid, then we have a launch advantage.
"At the beginning of the year we were frankly too far back on the grid to be able to exploit the launch advantage that KERS should be giving us, but it is now coming together and it is an advantage, and a real interesting technical challenge for everyone in the team and the drivers."
Recent improvements to the car helped Lewis Hamilton take the team's first win of the season in Hungary before the summer break, and hopes are high that another good result could be on the cards this time out.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh revealed on Wednesday that improvements brought to the car would be tried out separately by Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen in first practice for the European GP.
"This coming weekend we have a new front wing system for the car to hopefully bring some more performance," said Whitmarsh during a 'Phone-in' media call on Wednesday.
"You will see that will be on one car in P1, with the new rear floor on the other car in P1...we need to back-to-back the new front wing and rear floor modifications, so by P2 both cars will have converged on the same specification."
Added to the outright car improvements, Whitmarsh believes that its KERS could give it a decisive edge now that its MP4-24 is near the front of the field.
"Now there is no doubt that KERS is an advantage," he explained. "We have potentially a small lap time advantage, we have an overtake or defend advantage and certainly, if we can get near the front of the grid, then we have a launch advantage.
"At the beginning of the year we were frankly too far back on the grid to be able to exploit the launch advantage that KERS should be giving us, but it is now coming together and it is an advantage, and a real interesting technical challenge for everyone in the team and the drivers."
Monday 17 August 2009
McLaren: Europe preview quotes
Lewis Hamilton: It's great to be getting back to business after the four-week break. I'm still buzzing from the win in Hungary and I'm hopeful of being able to carry that pace into the Valencia weekend - particularly with our new upgrades to the car.
It's a very demanding circuit, the kind of place that punishes any mistakes hard. It's quite tight and relatively slow, so it should suit our package. It's also very difficult to overtake, as we discovered last year – but, with our KERS, Mercedes-Benz has proved that anything can happen and I'm once again hoping that it will provide the difference in the race.
Heikki Kovalainen: Having driven the fully-updated car for the first time in Hungary last month, it was very encouraging to be able to feel just how much progress the team has made developing MP4-24. We've now got a car that's much easier to drive on the limit and which really rewards your input.
So I'm really looking forward to the European Grand Prix which, while it won't suit us as strongly as the Hungaroring, should be another strong opportunity for us to score some more points.
After the summer break, I think the whole team is really looking forward to the second half of the season. We're all refreshed and united. I think there's a lot of potential for the remaining races.
Martin Whitmarsh: While the summer break has meant we've had four weeks to enjoy Lewis's victory in Budapest, it's very important that we are able to maintain that winning momentum into this weekend's race. Fortunately, we have made a structured effort to bring further improvements to the car in Spain and the whole team has been buoyed by that win and is really looking forward to another strong set of results this weekend. I've no doubt that we'll certainly hit the ground running on Friday.
The grand prix also marks the 250th race of our team partnership with Mercedes-Benz, it is pleasing to have reached this important milestone off the back of a win and we are all focused on continuing this form here in Valencia.
Norbert Haug: Last year, the race in Valencia had been held for the first time and it is a welcome addition of the Formula 1 venues worldwide. The European Grand Prix is already the 250th one for McLaren and Mercedes since the beginning of the co-operation in 1995.
The street circuit in Valencia is not considered to be the most challenging one for the drivers; however, just this kind of track can turn out to be even trickier. We finished last year's premiere with Lewis Hamilton's second place and will try this year to adhere to our form of Hungary. Despite Lewis's victory there we don't regard ourselves as favourites yet.
It's a very demanding circuit, the kind of place that punishes any mistakes hard. It's quite tight and relatively slow, so it should suit our package. It's also very difficult to overtake, as we discovered last year – but, with our KERS, Mercedes-Benz has proved that anything can happen and I'm once again hoping that it will provide the difference in the race.
Heikki Kovalainen: Having driven the fully-updated car for the first time in Hungary last month, it was very encouraging to be able to feel just how much progress the team has made developing MP4-24. We've now got a car that's much easier to drive on the limit and which really rewards your input.
So I'm really looking forward to the European Grand Prix which, while it won't suit us as strongly as the Hungaroring, should be another strong opportunity for us to score some more points.
After the summer break, I think the whole team is really looking forward to the second half of the season. We're all refreshed and united. I think there's a lot of potential for the remaining races.
Martin Whitmarsh: While the summer break has meant we've had four weeks to enjoy Lewis's victory in Budapest, it's very important that we are able to maintain that winning momentum into this weekend's race. Fortunately, we have made a structured effort to bring further improvements to the car in Spain and the whole team has been buoyed by that win and is really looking forward to another strong set of results this weekend. I've no doubt that we'll certainly hit the ground running on Friday.
The grand prix also marks the 250th race of our team partnership with Mercedes-Benz, it is pleasing to have reached this important milestone off the back of a win and we are all focused on continuing this form here in Valencia.
Norbert Haug: Last year, the race in Valencia had been held for the first time and it is a welcome addition of the Formula 1 venues worldwide. The European Grand Prix is already the 250th one for McLaren and Mercedes since the beginning of the co-operation in 1995.
The street circuit in Valencia is not considered to be the most challenging one for the drivers; however, just this kind of track can turn out to be even trickier. We finished last year's premiere with Lewis Hamilton's second place and will try this year to adhere to our form of Hungary. Despite Lewis's victory there we don't regard ourselves as favourites yet.
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