McLaren feel contented after wet Friday practice of 2012 Belgian Grand Prix – Formula 1 news
McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh has said that they are quite contented after the Friday practice of the 2012 Belgian Grand Prix as they managed to gather some convincing information about the updates despite the rain.
Whitmarsh said that they have been working really hard on their update package during the summer break so as to come up with their enhanced car at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
Although, the wet weather conditions hindered the running during both the practice sessions on Friday, however, the Briton has said that they have got some potential data which can be used to advance further.
“Despite the limited running, we were able to conduct a little bit of useful work, evaluating the performance of our aerodynamic upgrades and looking at tyre performance,” he said. “With the field so closely covered, even the tiniest scrap of data can be useful.”
Moreover, their driver, Jenson Button who could only cover 10 laps during the practice sessions asserted that it was very much difficult to drive the car on the wet track which is known for its fast corners.
“For most of the lap, you're not really pushing - then, halfway down the Kemmel straight, it suddenly gets wetter,” the 2009 world champion said. “It's a different type of asphalt, which doesn't drain as well. As soon as you hit that, you feel the car slow down and then it starts to spin its wheels.”
In addition, he said that even though they could not attain the desired level of information during the first two practice sessions due to the unfavourable weather conditions. Nevertheless, he said that they are positively looking forward to fight back in the third practice session and are aiming to secure a competitive grid position in the qualifying in order to get a good start to win the forthcoming race.
Currently, the British team is standing at 2nd position in the constructors’ championship and are ahead of their closest opponent, Lotus. Though, they are quite behind the leading team, Red Bull Racing at present, nonetheless, they are competent enough of winning the championship title this year.
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