Formula One news

Damage limitation for McLaren?

The McLaren team will approach the Monaco Grand Prix with aggression on Sunday after a difficult qualifying session saw World Champion driver Lewis Hamilton commit an unforced error and hit the barriers. Now with a fresh gearbox and five-place grid penalty, however, the Tewin-born man will start the race from the back of the grid.

Further up the grid, Hamilton's team-mate - Heikki Kovalainen - will be starting the Grand Prix seventh as McLaren attempts to keep the points deficit between itself and rivals to a minimum. "Heikki has driven with increasing commitment all weekend," said team principal Martin Whitmarsh. "Lewis's accident was disappointing - he knows he made a mistake - but we all know he will not give up; that's his nature and, as a result, I feel sure he will approach tomorrow's race with undiminished commitment."

"The speed was there to be among the quickest, so it's a shame what happened to Lewis after he has been among the fastest during all previous practice sessions," admitted Mercedes vice president for motorsport Norbert Haug, "but such contact with the guardrails can easily happen in Monaco. Heikki was good; he put in a solid performance and has a good strategy. Monaco has its own rules so we still can look good tomorrow."

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