Formula One news

McLaren raises hopes for Hungary win

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is confident that the Woking-based squad stands a genuine chance of victory at next weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. The MP4-24, which demonstrated a marked improvement at the Nürburgring last time out, has improved in pace by what is believed to be over half a second per lap.

Contact from Mark Webber's Red Bull left Lewis Hamilton with a puncture in Germany

Although all hope for the title has been written off by Heikki Kovalainen and World Champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton, their team principal is optimistic that the squad can spring a surprise at the Hungaroring. "There was some progress in Germany and we have to make sure that we keep pushing and have better results in the next race," Whitmarsh told Autosport. "We always go for the victory but we don't always have the equipment to go for it - hopefully in Hungary we will have the equipment to really go for it."

With their 2010 car already underway in its development process, the team is hoping that - whilst not fighting for the titles - concentration can be placed fully upon next year's car in the opposite way to how it was not last year. "We aren't going to win this year's World Championship and we have to do a better job next year," Whitmarsh continued. "We have got a lot more effort on next year's programme than we did this time last year but we have to make sure we don't get distracted.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal

"Have we transformed the car into a race winner? Not quite. Have we made some progress? Yes. Does it demonstrate some of the philosophy that is going into next year's car is the right direction? I think it does, so that is encouraging. We have to make sure we focus on that."

Development of the 2009 will continue although, due to more rule changes next season, the aesthetics throughout the field are likely undergo a notable change. "Next year's car is already quite a bit different," Whitmarsh confirmed. "It is quite a bit different because of the absence of refuelling but it was also clear to us that next year's car had to be quite a bit different to this year's car - you become less risk averse if you are slow, so we are very aggressively attacking next year."

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage