McLaren's new car, MP4-26 disapproved by F1 gurus: Martin Brundle, David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan
McLaren's new car, MP4-26 is receiving negative criticism from all directions. Not only did both the team drivers, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, admit their concern for the pace of the car, but many of the sport analysts also predicted that the team
would not be able to make it to the top in the first half of the season.
While reviewing the upcoming 2011 Formula 1 season, the top commentators and analysts of the series, Martin Brundle, David Coulthard and Eddie Jordan expressed their concern for the new MP4-26.
Brundle said, "I watched the [McLaren] out on track a week ago and it's a mess. It didn't slow down. It didn't turn in. It couldn't get the power down. Lewis [Hamilton] looked absolutely at sea in the thing. Clearly they have a fundamental issue."
Similarly, Coulthard added that the car did not even seem quick on the long straight runs, which was very alarming. He believes that by the time the British team will sort out its basic design issues, the rivals will have carried the second and third upgrades.
Moreover, the former team boss, and Formula 1 expert, Jordan proclaimed that McLaren's decision to change its designer every year has caused this trouble.
He explained, "I have a real problem with McLaren over this whole concept. No major, winning team currently uses that system. Both of the drivers are very unhappy. It probably needs a whole new car at this early stage. McLaren have done this now too often."
The team skipped the first pre-season test session due to the delayed launch of the team car. The latter two tests have not been every encouraging for the team as the car faced several problems relating to its reliability and pace.
Although the delayed beginning of the season - due to cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix - has given some more time to the team, it seems that only a miracle on the track would help McLaren be a serious threat in the first few Grand Prix's.
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