Interview with Martin Whitmarsh.
Discussion
Some interesting stuff from Martin about Kimi,Lewis,2010 car and trying to get 3rd place
Source - http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/10/10...
Q: Martin, is Heikki Kovalainen going, is Kimi Raikkonen coming? When will you decide?
Martin Whitmarsh: The answer is simple. We have not determined a driver line-up yet and we haven’t set a timetable for doing so. We now have clarity about Ferrari’s drivers and we know now that other drivers are available. We try and give Heikki every opportunity to do a good job, Heikki is a very committed driver and a lovely chap, and we would like him to get some good results over the rest of the season. We are focusing on that and are not announcing a driver line-up for the moment.
Q: Will your announcement come within this season or over the winter?
MW: We have not made a decision on timing. We will continue to review the situation and, once we know, we will announce it.
Q: You were reported as saying that McLaren wouldn’t have any problems with Kimi Raikkonen coming back. What exactly does that mean?
MW: Kimi is a fantastic driver, and I like him and know him well. He was with the team for five years. He is quick, he is committed and I think he probably would be very committed to beating Ferrari in the future - knowing him. All these are attractive things with Kimi. He is not political. He is absolutely straightforward - what you see is what you get with Kimi. And on top of that everyone knows that he is a winning driver. I think he has been underestimated technically. He is a very good racing driver and I think he would fit well in this team, if we choose to go down that route.
Q: You’ve emphasized that he is not political. Is that something McLaren looks for in its drivers?
MW: I think we are very fortunate at the moment as there is tremendous harmony in the team. Both our current drivers aren’t political. They are very open to one another and they genuinely like each other. Team mates don’t necessarily like each other - that is not a prerequisite. They have to be honest and open and not political, that is part of the ingredients needed this year. We started in a very poor state with a slow car and then we had other controversies at the beginning of the year. I have to say I am personally proud of how the team pulled together during the year. I credit that to the genuine harmony among people who enjoy working together. And for the future, whatever driver line-up we have, you want to have that.
Q: You are almost coming to the end of your first year as team principal. What have you learnt and what have been the highs and lows for you?
MW: I think I have learnt that being team principal is more significant than I’d expected. I’ve been with this team for 20 years and have been fortunate enough to be in senior positions. When I was made team principal I thought that was more symbolic than significant. I’ve been on the podium taking trophies for the team since 1993, but being up there in Hungary was a much bigger moment than I realized it was going to be. As for the low moments, I would say it was week 11, in Barcelona, when we realized that we were two and a half seconds off the pace, which was quite a shocking position to be in. So we had to go out and find a lot of time on teams who were still going forward. We had to improve at a much faster rate than them, which we’ve been able to do. Sure another low moment came with the controversy after the Australian Grand Prix. A proud moment was in Germany when we were second on the grid, and without the first corner puncture, Lewis (Hamilton) could have competed. And since Germany we’ve been competing with the chance of winning each of the races.
Q: Being team principal of McLaren is not an everyday job. Do people approach you differently than before?
MW: Within the team, no. Outside, inevitably, it has a higher profile. Being recognized as Lewis’s boss makes you a more public figure. Probably I underestimated that, and some of the pressures. Ron (Dennis) had been associated with this team for 30 years, so a lot of people naturally assumed that I was a clone of Ron. And perhaps by now people have realized that this is not the case. Now we have a different style of doing things. Hopefully we still have the classic strength that McLaren has always had, but we also try to be better in some things that we’ve not been good at in the past.
Q: You started the season badly by McLaren standards and worked your way up the grid again. Is this just down to the improvement of the chassis?
MW: One secret to making good progress is to start poorly! To be frank our car was uncompetitive at the beginning of the year. It was rather underdeveloped as we were pushing until the end of last season to win the championship. And after winning the championship it felt like the right decision. But at week 11 it felt wrong. We hadn’t been as adventurous in our interpretation of the rules like our competitors, such as with the double diffuser, so we had a lot of catching up to do. We have had to work hard as a team to get on the winning street again.
Q: Lewis has matured over the course of the season as a driver and as the team leader. How have you helped that process?
MW: It’s true, Lewis has matured a lot this year. I’ve known Lewis since he was a metre high and 11 years-old. Throughout his whole career until Formula One, or his first two years of F1 to be precise, he had a very unique experience, as he went to every race with the belief that he had equipment capable of winning that race. I think no driver in history has ever had that. To turn up this year, obviously without equipment capable of winning races, was quite a big shock to him as he had never experienced that. That and the controversy following Australia suddenly meant somebody who was on a roller-coaster only going up is suddenly going down. He has been idolized by fans, the media and the public and suddenly questions have been asked about him and he has been challenged by his uncompetitive situation. I think that the first half of this season was not pleasant for him - or any of us - but he came out of it a lot, lot stronger. When you are used to people saying nice things about you, and you suddenly read critical or attacking things, it is not easy. His great strength is his humanity, but in a way it is also a weakness as it gives him some vulnerability and some fragility. I think now he is a lot tougher, battle hardened if you like, and I think he will be stronger in the future.
Q: With only two races to go the focus must be on the 2010 car. How far along is that process?
MW: The car is very developed. Aerodynamically it is already superior to this car because we were able to work with the regulations as they are now being interpreted. So one can imagine that there is a relatively extreme double diffuser system on the car and it is quite a radical departure from this year’s car. We’re spending all our development resources on that project and it looks exciting. We will have a very competitive car next year, because frankly if not, you can’t win a championship as we did this year.
Q: There have been rumours of a rocky relationship between McLaren and Mercedes. What’s the reality?
MW: We’ve been together for 15 years. We have had some great wins but also inevitably we have had some disappointments in that relationship. But on a working level there is a very strong relationship as we both are committed to winning. Out of all the manufacturers Mercedes are the most committed at the moment. We’ve got a long-term contract with them so we will be working with them. Some of the speculation arises from Mercedes’ cooperation with some of the other teams, but we’ve encouraged that and allowed it. There have been many discussions about equity in McLaren and equity in Brawn and these discussions will go on. The fact that they are accruing this is encouraging to me because at least for the time being Mercedes have a strong commitment to Formula One.
Q: Lewis’s place in the drivers’ championship is almost irrelevant, but McLaren have the chance to oust Ferrari from P3 in the constructors’ standings. Is that your prime aim?
MW: Absolutely. From a number of points behind, we are now only two points adrift of Ferrari. We’ve got a tremendous respect for Ferrari and have a very constructive working relationship with them, which is probably a change from the majority of the last 30 years of that relationship. But of course we want to beat them. Not winning is disappointing, so if we can get ourselves to third - which is realistic - I would be very disappointed if we don’t beat them in the constructors’. It will be a good battle and I hope that we’ve got a little bit of an edge. You have to beat Kimi first and he can pull it out if he needs to pull it out.
Source - http://www.formula1.com/news/interviews/2009/10/10...
Q: Martin, is Heikki Kovalainen going, is Kimi Raikkonen coming? When will you decide?
Martin Whitmarsh: The answer is simple. We have not determined a driver line-up yet and we haven’t set a timetable for doing so. We now have clarity about Ferrari’s drivers and we know now that other drivers are available. We try and give Heikki every opportunity to do a good job, Heikki is a very committed driver and a lovely chap, and we would like him to get some good results over the rest of the season. We are focusing on that and are not announcing a driver line-up for the moment.
Q: Will your announcement come within this season or over the winter?
MW: We have not made a decision on timing. We will continue to review the situation and, once we know, we will announce it.
Q: You were reported as saying that McLaren wouldn’t have any problems with Kimi Raikkonen coming back. What exactly does that mean?
MW: Kimi is a fantastic driver, and I like him and know him well. He was with the team for five years. He is quick, he is committed and I think he probably would be very committed to beating Ferrari in the future - knowing him. All these are attractive things with Kimi. He is not political. He is absolutely straightforward - what you see is what you get with Kimi. And on top of that everyone knows that he is a winning driver. I think he has been underestimated technically. He is a very good racing driver and I think he would fit well in this team, if we choose to go down that route.
Q: You’ve emphasized that he is not political. Is that something McLaren looks for in its drivers?
MW: I think we are very fortunate at the moment as there is tremendous harmony in the team. Both our current drivers aren’t political. They are very open to one another and they genuinely like each other. Team mates don’t necessarily like each other - that is not a prerequisite. They have to be honest and open and not political, that is part of the ingredients needed this year. We started in a very poor state with a slow car and then we had other controversies at the beginning of the year. I have to say I am personally proud of how the team pulled together during the year. I credit that to the genuine harmony among people who enjoy working together. And for the future, whatever driver line-up we have, you want to have that.
Q: You are almost coming to the end of your first year as team principal. What have you learnt and what have been the highs and lows for you?
MW: I think I have learnt that being team principal is more significant than I’d expected. I’ve been with this team for 20 years and have been fortunate enough to be in senior positions. When I was made team principal I thought that was more symbolic than significant. I’ve been on the podium taking trophies for the team since 1993, but being up there in Hungary was a much bigger moment than I realized it was going to be. As for the low moments, I would say it was week 11, in Barcelona, when we realized that we were two and a half seconds off the pace, which was quite a shocking position to be in. So we had to go out and find a lot of time on teams who were still going forward. We had to improve at a much faster rate than them, which we’ve been able to do. Sure another low moment came with the controversy after the Australian Grand Prix. A proud moment was in Germany when we were second on the grid, and without the first corner puncture, Lewis (Hamilton) could have competed. And since Germany we’ve been competing with the chance of winning each of the races.
Q: Being team principal of McLaren is not an everyday job. Do people approach you differently than before?
MW: Within the team, no. Outside, inevitably, it has a higher profile. Being recognized as Lewis’s boss makes you a more public figure. Probably I underestimated that, and some of the pressures. Ron (Dennis) had been associated with this team for 30 years, so a lot of people naturally assumed that I was a clone of Ron. And perhaps by now people have realized that this is not the case. Now we have a different style of doing things. Hopefully we still have the classic strength that McLaren has always had, but we also try to be better in some things that we’ve not been good at in the past.
Q: You started the season badly by McLaren standards and worked your way up the grid again. Is this just down to the improvement of the chassis?
MW: One secret to making good progress is to start poorly! To be frank our car was uncompetitive at the beginning of the year. It was rather underdeveloped as we were pushing until the end of last season to win the championship. And after winning the championship it felt like the right decision. But at week 11 it felt wrong. We hadn’t been as adventurous in our interpretation of the rules like our competitors, such as with the double diffuser, so we had a lot of catching up to do. We have had to work hard as a team to get on the winning street again.
Q: Lewis has matured over the course of the season as a driver and as the team leader. How have you helped that process?
MW: It’s true, Lewis has matured a lot this year. I’ve known Lewis since he was a metre high and 11 years-old. Throughout his whole career until Formula One, or his first two years of F1 to be precise, he had a very unique experience, as he went to every race with the belief that he had equipment capable of winning that race. I think no driver in history has ever had that. To turn up this year, obviously without equipment capable of winning races, was quite a big shock to him as he had never experienced that. That and the controversy following Australia suddenly meant somebody who was on a roller-coaster only going up is suddenly going down. He has been idolized by fans, the media and the public and suddenly questions have been asked about him and he has been challenged by his uncompetitive situation. I think that the first half of this season was not pleasant for him - or any of us - but he came out of it a lot, lot stronger. When you are used to people saying nice things about you, and you suddenly read critical or attacking things, it is not easy. His great strength is his humanity, but in a way it is also a weakness as it gives him some vulnerability and some fragility. I think now he is a lot tougher, battle hardened if you like, and I think he will be stronger in the future.
Q: With only two races to go the focus must be on the 2010 car. How far along is that process?
MW: The car is very developed. Aerodynamically it is already superior to this car because we were able to work with the regulations as they are now being interpreted. So one can imagine that there is a relatively extreme double diffuser system on the car and it is quite a radical departure from this year’s car. We’re spending all our development resources on that project and it looks exciting. We will have a very competitive car next year, because frankly if not, you can’t win a championship as we did this year.
Q: There have been rumours of a rocky relationship between McLaren and Mercedes. What’s the reality?
MW: We’ve been together for 15 years. We have had some great wins but also inevitably we have had some disappointments in that relationship. But on a working level there is a very strong relationship as we both are committed to winning. Out of all the manufacturers Mercedes are the most committed at the moment. We’ve got a long-term contract with them so we will be working with them. Some of the speculation arises from Mercedes’ cooperation with some of the other teams, but we’ve encouraged that and allowed it. There have been many discussions about equity in McLaren and equity in Brawn and these discussions will go on. The fact that they are accruing this is encouraging to me because at least for the time being Mercedes have a strong commitment to Formula One.
Q: Lewis’s place in the drivers’ championship is almost irrelevant, but McLaren have the chance to oust Ferrari from P3 in the constructors’ standings. Is that your prime aim?
MW: Absolutely. From a number of points behind, we are now only two points adrift of Ferrari. We’ve got a tremendous respect for Ferrari and have a very constructive working relationship with them, which is probably a change from the majority of the last 30 years of that relationship. But of course we want to beat them. Not winning is disappointing, so if we can get ourselves to third - which is realistic - I would be very disappointed if we don’t beat them in the constructors’. It will be a good battle and I hope that we’ve got a little bit of an edge. You have to beat Kimi first and he can pull it out if he needs to pull it out.
Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Tuesday 6th October 17:12
I've been a fan of Mclaren since the start of MP4 days, and especially the MP4/4. With the going of RD I've got to say that my enthusiasm for the team has cooled, any by more than I thought possible. However, MW has impressed me with his management of the team at a time when, for various reasons, they were under pressure. I think he has handled himself well and I do like the changes he has made to the team, mainly that it seems more open. I mean, saying nice things about Ferrari. Wow!
That said, Ferrari is in essence a new team with fundamental differences to the one that was managed by Todt. I say nice things about them nowadays as well.
He mentions politics of drivers. Who do you think he means to cricise?
I miss Ron though.
That said, Ferrari is in essence a new team with fundamental differences to the one that was managed by Todt. I say nice things about them nowadays as well.
He mentions politics of drivers. Who do you think he means to cricise?
I miss Ron though.
Derek Smith said:
I've been a fan of Mclaren since the start of MP4 days, and especially the MP4/4. With the going of RD I've got to say that my enthusiasm for the team has cooled, any by more than I thought possible. However, MW has impressed me with his management of the team at a time when, for various reasons, they were under pressure. I think he has handled himself well and I do like the changes he has made to the team, mainly that it seems more open. I mean, saying nice things about Ferrari. Wow!
That said, Ferrari is in essence a new team with fundamental differences to the one that was managed by Todt. I say nice things about them nowadays as well.
He mentions politics of drivers. Who do you think he means to cricise?
I miss Ron though.
Derek was it just Ron going or has anything else pured water on your enthusaism for them? I too have been a Mclaren fan for as long as I can remember but feel this year it has gone slightly. Although I'm starting to realise its actually F1 in general I'm starting to become less of a fan of. I actually love the Mclaren Automotive program think the MP4-12C looks amazing. But think F1 is starting to become less interesting.That said, Ferrari is in essence a new team with fundamental differences to the one that was managed by Todt. I say nice things about them nowadays as well.
He mentions politics of drivers. Who do you think he means to cricise?
I miss Ron though.
sirtyro said:
Derek Smith said:
I've been a fan of Mclaren since the start of MP4 days, and especially the MP4/4. With the going of RD I've got to say that my enthusiasm for the team has cooled, any by more than I thought possible. However, MW has impressed me with his management of the team at a time when, for various reasons, they were under pressure. I think he has handled himself well and I do like the changes he has made to the team, mainly that it seems more open. I mean, saying nice things about Ferrari. Wow!
That said, Ferrari is in essence a new team with fundamental differences to the one that was managed by Todt. I say nice things about them nowadays as well.
He mentions politics of drivers. Who do you think he means to cricise?
I miss Ron though.
Derek was it just Ron going or has anything else pured water on your enthusaism for them? I too have been a Mclaren fan for as long as I can remember but feel this year it has gone slightly. Although I'm starting to realise its actually F1 in general I'm starting to become less of a fan of. I actually love the Mclaren Automotive program think the MP4-12C looks amazing. But think F1 is starting to become less interesting.That said, Ferrari is in essence a new team with fundamental differences to the one that was managed by Todt. I say nice things about them nowadays as well.
He mentions politics of drivers. Who do you think he means to cricise?
I miss Ron though.
The way Mosley has run the sport, especially in the last six or seven years, has taken such a lot of the fun out of it for me. I've got friends who don't particuarly like F1 (I feel obliged to educate them) and they have stopped having arguments with me because of how corrupt it all is. I can't even exploit Bloodgate as I'm a Quins fan.
One thought I had was that I was 'looking for' an excuse to take a step back from being an F1 nerd and RD's going was the perfect hook to hang it on.
I got up early to watch the Japanese GP so I haven't totally given up but I want something to excite me again rather than make me angry.
But like you I'm in awe of McLaren Automotive. Had a ride in an F1 last year. Magic.
Derek Smith said:
friends who don't particuarly like F1 (I feel obliged to educate them) and they have stopped having arguments with me because of how corrupt it all is. I can't even exploit Bloodgate as I'm a Quins fan.
You're cursed! Would you mind not following F1 and Rugby then please, perhaps take up, erm, Chess?Derek Smith said:
I got up early to watch the Japanese GP so I haven't totally given up but I want something to excite me again rather than make me angry.
But like you I'm in awe of McLaren Automotive. Had a ride in an F1 last year. Magic.
I too got up early, i've been invigorated by the arrival of Hamilton (I don't mind saying so either) I was a big fan during the late eighties through to mid nineties, then had a barren spell (houses, marriage and kids didn't help) but i'm now firmly back.But like you I'm in awe of McLaren Automotive. Had a ride in an F1 last year. Magic.
The 'gates don't do the sport much justice, however, it's all given us plenty to discuss on Monday mornings, which, although it's bad, is still interesting to talk about.
Ron leaving was a shame, but Martin is already showing he can do the job. I suspect they speak regularly in any case, Ron will still have his say.
Looking forward to next season already.
Martin Whitmarsh said:
Blah Blah Corporate Answer Blah Blah Blah Short Haircut Blah Blah Sponsorship Blah Blah Blah
Makes me very sad to read all this corporate bulls
t, its motor racing for crying out loud. All these half answers and crass management speak makes it very difficult to have any respect for them. Hamilton and his "I want to thank the team so much etc etc" included.TIGA84 said:
Martin Whitmarsh said:
Blah Blah Corporate Answer Blah Blah Blah Short Haircut Blah Blah Sponsorship Blah Blah Blah
Makes me very sad to read all this corporate bullst, its motor racing for crying out loud. All these half answers and crass management speak makes it very difficult to have any respect for them. Hamilton and his "I want to thank the team so much etc etc" included.Wanta996Gotta said:
TIGA84 said:
Martin Whitmarsh said:
Blah Blah Corporate Answer Blah Blah Blah Short Haircut Blah Blah Sponsorship Blah Blah Blah
Makes me very sad to read all this corporate bullst, its motor racing for crying out loud. All these half answers and crass management speak makes it very difficult to have any respect for them. Hamilton and his "I want to thank the team so much etc etc" included.TIGA84 said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
TIGA84 said:
Martin Whitmarsh said:
Blah Blah Corporate Answer Blah Blah Blah Short Haircut Blah Blah Sponsorship Blah Blah Blah
Makes me very sad to read all this corporate bullst, its motor racing for crying out loud. All these half answers and crass management speak makes it very difficult to have any respect for them. Hamilton and his "I want to thank the team so much etc etc" included.Just imagine how much faster he would be without being so corporate.
but surely, F1 is a business so it is inherently going to be corporate, especially at the level Whitmarsh and Hamilton are at? I dont think for a second that either of their passion for winning and performing can be doubted and ive certainly not seen Lewis be anything but extatic when he wins - a win for button is emotional as he's not been used to it. A win for Hamilton is emotional too im sure, but in a different way.
It sounds like mclaren will be back at the front next year though, which is great news - Lewis in a competitive car is a sight to behold in F1. Kimi coming back would also be great as I think he would be back at the front of the grid on a regular basis. As much as I like him, i cant see Kovi being at mclaren next year. A talented driver for sure, but i dont think he has done "enough" to secure a seat.
It sounds like mclaren will be back at the front next year though, which is great news - Lewis in a competitive car is a sight to behold in F1. Kimi coming back would also be great as I think he would be back at the front of the grid on a regular basis. As much as I like him, i cant see Kovi being at mclaren next year. A talented driver for sure, but i dont think he has done "enough" to secure a seat.
zac510 said:
I've got tremendous respect for Martin and I've known of him for many years.. but doesn't all the corporate speak get a bit repetitive?
You make a good point, but to be honest if you ask a stupid question, expect a bullsheet answer."Q: Martin, is Heikki Kovalainen going, is Kimi Raikkonen coming? When will you decide?"
I'm sure if McLaren had made a decision and they were happy to anounce it, there would have been a press release. Questions like this are pointless, bad journalism and a waste of time.
Wanta996Gotta said:
Q: You were reported as saying that McLaren wouldn’t have any problems with Kimi Raikkonen coming back. What exactly does that mean?
MW: Kimi is a fantastic driver, and I like him and know him well. He was with the team for five years. He is quick, he is committed and I think he probably would be very committed to beating Ferrari in the future - knowing him. All these are attractive things with Kimi. He is not political. He is absolutely straightforward - what you see is what you get with Kimi. And on top of that everyone knows that he is a winning driver. I think he has been underestimated technically. He is a very good racing driver and I think he would fit well in this team, if we choose to go down that route.the team pulled together during the year. I credit that to the genuine harmony among people who enjoy working together. And for the future, whatever driver line-up we have, you want to have that.
See, Martin's already thinking about how to motivate kimi. I think that just doesn't happen at ferrari; the ferrari mentality is that you shouldn't need it, hence kimi's old quotes about being allowed to do what he wants.MW: Kimi is a fantastic driver, and I like him and know him well. He was with the team for five years. He is quick, he is committed and I think he probably would be very committed to beating Ferrari in the future - knowing him. All these are attractive things with Kimi. He is not political. He is absolutely straightforward - what you see is what you get with Kimi. And on top of that everyone knows that he is a winning driver. I think he has been underestimated technically. He is a very good racing driver and I think he would fit well in this team, if we choose to go down that route.the team pulled together during the year. I credit that to the genuine harmony among people who enjoy working together. And for the future, whatever driver line-up we have, you want to have that.
Oh, and I can drive the mclaren for martin if he wants harmony and a lovely chap. If he wants to win some ruddy championships though he'll be wanting kimi or rosberg or someone. Not heikki though.
Edited by hairyben on Thursday 8th October 10:16
TIGA84 said:
Wanta996Gotta said:
TIGA84 said:
Martin Whitmarsh said:
Blah Blah Corporate Answer Blah Blah Blah Short Haircut Blah Blah Sponsorship Blah Blah Blah
Makes me very sad to read all this corporate bullst, its motor racing for crying out loud. All these half answers and crass management speak makes it very difficult to have any respect for them. Hamilton and his "I want to thank the team so much etc etc" included.Look at it another way, Hamilton had a bad start to the year with a bad car, now the car is a front-runner and he is winning races and has the professionalism and reality to thank the team each time as they have worked so hard to give him something good to drive. The other had it all his own way at the start of the season and as soon as other cars catch up, he moans at his engineers over the radio.
I think it is great some drivers do always mention the team...others never seem to though.
p.s. Were Lewis' donuts at Silverstone too corporate focussed for you too?
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