Martin Whitmarsh: I am not satisfied with the car reliability in the tests – Formula 1 update
Formula 1 McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has said that he is not satisfied with the new MP4-26 car reliability and performance, in the winter testing.
He also mentioned that for their initial successful races, they have decided to make some dramatic changes into the package for their positive results in Australia.
He added those changes will bring more improvement into its run and the other features, included KERS, adjustable rear wing, car exhaust and floor system will provide a significant performance boost, as well.
He went on to say, “The exhaust systems have become quite extreme on quite a lot of the cars. I think we in particular had a very extreme solution, but they were not delivering, in my opinion, sufficient benefit for their complexity.”
He further added, “We had some very creative ideas, some of which could have worked spectacularly well, but to work spectacularly well they had to be sufficiently durable to be raceable. Frankly, some of our solutions weren't and that's why I think we had
to go back. But I think in doing so we found some interesting performance.”
Recently, Whitmarsh admitted that his team still has the capacity to work hard, with the new MP4-26 car, so he expected more reliability in the upcoming season.
McLaren did not make an impressive run over the test sessions, as a result, it is not conceded favourite to win the Australian Grand Prix. However, the team principal said that, he expected a surprise from McLaren and that it would be more competitive in
Melbourne.
The team driver Lewis Hamilton accepted that McLaren’s progress was worst during the testing but he said he is still interested to drive the new package in the upcoming season. He admitted that the testing was quite difficult and that was why, he did not
set the pace of their fastest car.
Hamilton was very excited as the season is going to start in a few days. He has really worked hard over the test sessions and team will show their surprising performance in Australia.
On the other hand, Hamilton’s teammate Jenson Button, who was the winner of the past two years, admitted that he is not looking forward to his next victory due to multiple pitstops issue.
In the end, Whitmarsh confirmed that he is aiming to make the car over a second quicker in Melbourne race, than it was in the winter testing.
Tags: