Formula One news

Whitmarsh: We are improving all the time

Despite not avoiding the fact that McLaren's MP4-24 remains off the leading pace, team principal Martin Whitmarsh has assured that the car will make another small jump in performance for the Turkish Grand Prix this weekend. The Woking-based squad failed to score points in Monaco and is determined to add to their score at Istanbul Park.

A notably quicker car on the streets of the principality than in Barcelona a fortnight earlier, the McLaren missed out on a points result in Monte-Carlo as Heikki Kovalainen crashed in the Swimming Pool section and World Champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton could only recover to twelfth place after losing control in qualifying.

Istanbul Park is the first of four anti-clockwise circuits on the calendar this season

"The Istanbul Park circuit is one of the most challenging modern circuits, for both teams and drivers," explained Whitmarsh. "Firstly, it's a real setup challenge; you need to find a handling balance between the high-speed corners, the slower infield section and the long straights. In addition, tyre wear - particularly to the heavily loaded front-right through Turn Eight - is a crucial factor in determining overall strategy. For the drivers, a combination of multi-apex and blind corners adds to the challenge."

Although the team brings with it four year's worth of track data since 2005, a distinct lack of downforce will hinder the cars' on-track performances more than anything else. "We go to Turkey in the knowledge that the track characteristics are a bit less likely to suit our package than Monaco," Whitmarsh admitted, "but we are improving all the time; we have several minor upgrades for MP4-24 and look forward to assessing our competitiveness against our rivals."

more news

• 07 Nov.
  • Alonso enjoys Ferrari factory visit
  • Brawn looking forward to Senna debut
• 06 Nov.
  • Follow GPUpdate.net on Twitter!
  • Wind tunnel operator sues Force India
  • Toyota-assisted Kobayashi eyeing Lotus seat
  • Sutil: Abu Dhabi 'a shame' for Force India
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009
  • Lotus wanting experienced drivers
  • Anthony Hamilton: Räikkönen the best option for McLaren
• 05 Nov.
  • Renault decision to come in December
  • GPUpdate TV: Vettel receives sports car prize
  • Ecclestone: 2 days for Silverstone to sign
  • Etihad and Aldar to pay damages to Force India
  • 'F1 organisers to blame for lost teams' - Ferrari
  • Hülkenberg to test Williams next month
• 04 Nov.
  • FIA warns again: Credit crunch will win
  • Renault holds emergency meeting about F1 future
  • FOTA thanks Toyota's Howett
  • Ekström beats Schumacher for Race of Champions
  • Hülkenberg targeting Barrichello pace
  • Photos: Race of Champions 2009
  • Pirelli not interested in F1
  • Vettel and Schumacher win ROC Nations Cup
  • Toyota highlights reasons for F1 exit
  • Official: Toyota leaves Formula One
  • An interview with Kamui Koabayshi
• 03 Nov.
  • 'Toyota set to end Formula 1 project'
  • Red Bull to announce engine partner 'very shortly'
  • Schumacher: Comeback was for Felipe
  • Trulli on lookout for clear racing rules
  • Räikkönen too expensive, says Brawn
  • Horner aware of 2010 challengers
  • Michael: Hülkenberg following Hamilton-like path
• 02 Nov.
  • Brawn thanks Barrichello for contribution
  • Kubica to drive in French rally
  • 2010: The grid so far
  • Alonso won't drive Ferrari until February
  • Williams confirms Barrichello and Hülkenberg for 2010
  • Optimism at Renault for next year
  • Whitmarsh: 2010 McLaren quicker than 2009 car

Homepage