Jonathan Neale talks about McLaren’s chances in 2011 season and Hamilton’s future – Formula 1
McLaren-Mercedes team always finds a way to remain in the headlines. This time around, all eyes are on them as they are the closest team to take the fight to Red Bull in the 2011 Formula 1 season.
In addition, rumours surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future shift to Red Bull are doing the rounds.
McLaren-Mercedes’ managing director Jonathan Neale answered some of the rumours and conspiracies.
Starting off with McLaren’s chances in the 2011 Formula 1 season, although technically McLaren are out of the championship fight against the Red Bull team, Jonathan Neale thinks that it is still not over.
Neale thinks that McLaren can still take the fight to Red Bull team although “the odds are short.”
Giving up hope on the 2011 title after just eight races of the season were McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton. However, Neale thinks that writing off the British team will not be a wise thing after what they have shown in the first eight races
of the season.
McLaren are 89 points behind the Red Bull team in the constructors’ championship table.
Although Neale admits that history shows winning title after such a situation is quite difficult but McLaren will do their best to rewrite history books.
“If you follow stats and history then the odds are short. But as you know history is no predicator of future performance. There is still a long way to go in this season,” commented Neale.
Neale’s point of view about McLaren’s chances in the 2011 season can take a positive shape if Red Bull suffer from the off-throttle Blown Diffuser clampdown or the engine mapping rule imposed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
Neale stated, “I think the uncertainty which has been raised by the recent engine regulation changes will make it really interesting this weekend and could open the season up.”
Further talking about the two wins in the 2011 Formula 1 season in China and recently in Canada, Neale stated that McLaren have the pace to disturb Red Bull which the Milton Keynes-based team also admits.
McLaren came from behind after the pre-season testing session where their car was mostly unreliable. However, as the season progressed they became a huge threat for the Red Bull team and limited their lead which could have been much bigger had McLaren failed
at the start of the season.
Neale further talked about recent speculations which pointed out that Hamilton might be moving to the Red Bull team for the 2012 season.
He said, “Well I don’t want to be unduly dismissive of the press but we are entering the silly season for drivers. There has been a lot of speculation about it. Of course I’m contractually bound not to disclose any of the contractual content or issues in
that but we are on record as saying that we would like Lewis to stay and be a part of the team.”
Nevertheless, the most important thing for McLaren is to win the 2011 title which might convince Hamilton to stay with the side for at least another year. Let’s see how things transpire in the days to come.
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