Martin Whitmarsh says McLaren headed in the right direction – Formula 1 Update
McLaren’s team Principal, Martin Whitmarsh, commented that the team is heading in a good direction and more upgrades will be seen in the Chinese Grand Prix. Martin stated that the speed of the new MP4-26 is good but still has some work to do, to see McLaren
ahead of the Red Bull team.
After coming from some disastrous form in the pre-season testing sessions, where their car was declared the least reliable of the 2011 Formula 1 grid, McLaren has done well to bring some pace in the car and challenge the Red Bull team.
Talking about the performance of the McLaren team, Whitmarsh said, “If you look at the progress we have made in the last four or five weeks we are heading in the right direction, but we will need to keep going if we are going to be competitive, win races
and compete for the championship this year.”
McLaren’s duo, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, have pursued the reigning champion, Sebastian Vettel, in the two races of the 2011 season, but it seems like the gap is beginning to close. Hamilton was almost 20 seconds behind Vettel in the season opener,
Australian Grand Prix, as Button was only three seconds behind the German in the second race at Malaysia.
Whitmarsh seemed pretty happy with the performance and said, “We've got some things that we will try on Friday and that is the nature of this sport. I think we are quite close, but I would like to be closer or ahead.”
Martin said that despite Vettel being at the top position of the standings, both Hamilton and Button have been neck-to-neck with the German in the Malaysian Grand Prix. Martin said that Nick Heidfeld passed Hamilton in the first lap which was disappointing
for the Brit.
Nevertheless, the next race of the 2011 Formula 1 season will be in China on 17 April and McLaren will once again be right behind the Red Bull team or maybe ahead of them, only time will tell.
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