Formula One news

Whitmarsh directing towards 2010

Martin Whitmarsh believes that McLaren's prime target is to concentrate on development ahead of the 2010 World Championship. Although there may be some nine months remaining until the start of next season, the team principal believes that focussing more on next year now will help ease the pain of a poor 2009 season so far.

Title defence is proving to be a fruitless exercise for Lewis Hamilton

After clinching the drivers' title last year for the first time since 1999, it is now eleven years since McLaren last won a constructors' championship. As the Woking-based outfit struggles with a lack of downforce, particularly on high-speed circuits, McLaren is now trailing leaders Brawn by 83 points. "I think you have to say that Jenson (Button) looks in good shape and I am sure he deserves it," said McLaren's Whitmarsh. "He has had years of really struggling in the dark and now he is doing a fantastic job; he is in a competitive car and I have to say that he looks like he is going to be the World Champion - I think he is doing a fantastic job.

"With regards to us, we have to make sure that we are strong next year; we have to make sure that the way in which we approach next year is that we apply adequate resource. I think ourselves and Ferrari are still struggling as a consequence of what has happened in the last few years, but at the same time to say we are a racing team and to say we are not going to try and win a race this year is not in our make up."

Whitmarsh talks to ex-McLaren driver David Coulthard

The 'silver arrow's crossed the line first eight times in 2008, although one win was lost for Lewis Hamilton in the controversial Spa chicane incident. Whitmarsh, serving his first campaign as team principal since taking over from Ron Dennis, is not prepared to throw in the towel: "It is not in our DNA. We will be pushing hard to see how we can improve the car; we are realistic - we are not making any predictions that we are going to be back there on the podium any time soon, but we are going to keep pushing and learning what we can from this car and making sure that we apply adequate resource to next year's car to make sure that we are competitive."

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