Q and A with McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh
After a few difficult races, is there an additional pressure to get a strong result next weekend?
“Dealing with a disappointing result is an inevitable part of the ebb and flow of a championship assault. As a team, we exist to win – and when we aren’t winning we’re tough on ourselves. We’re aware that we’ve under-performed recently but there are no bigger critics than ourselves. And with both Lewis and Heikki, we’re convinced we’ve got the right blend of youth and enthusiasm to tackle the challenge of winning races and challenging for the championship."
Is the team encouraged by the changes it has recently made to the MP4-23?
“Very much so. Both Lewis and Heikki came away from the Silverstone test feeling very optimistic about the changes we’ve made. We’ve been particularly aggressive in our development strategy, bringing new aero parts to the French Grand Prix, making further revisions ahead of the Silverstone test and planning even more upgrades for future races. The pace of development between the top teams will almost certainly prove crucial to the outcome of this year’s world championship and we’ve always recognized the importance of relentless, strategic development."
What sort of car works best around Silverstone?
“There are two main characteristics: the high-speed corners that typify the first half of the track require a good overall aerodynamic balance that enables the drivers to feel comfortable and confident with the car. But the last third of the lap is much slower and tighter and is more reliant on mechanical grip than aero performance. It’s a fantastic challenge for drivers and engineers."