Martin Whitmarsh has to go!

[sAx]

I would leave McLaren's business to McLaren's corporate officers to sort out. This is not a suitable issue for discussion by outsiders IMO. I agree with Ciro in that regard.

If true, we may be discussing McLaren corporate matters much further:

http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/70330 ... -The-Line-

sAx

[Richard]

If their source is the Daily Mail then they'd get more reliable news from the smears on toilet paper. Its a worthless rag that exclusively trades on creating negative stories such as "everyday food causes cancer" or "immigrants and paedophiles are destroying the value of your house"

[sAx]

If their source is the Daily Mail then they'd get more reliable news from the smears on toilet paper. Its a worthless rag that exclusively trades on creating negative stories such as "everyday food causes cancer" or "immigrants and paedophiles are destroying the value of your house"

For sure, British news media has not faired well of late! But major surgery of the Williams GP type may prove necessary going forward. In strange way a rather youthful Technical Director freed of his burdens in Grove, may discover his libido in entirely new surroundings at Woking.

sAx

[wesley123]

If that is true they might want to make the decision really quick. They really dont want to start the year 2013 with a new team leader. I think that is a problem too, in 2009 Whitmarsh started his first seaon, under whole new rules, he should have came a year earlier or later

[Richard]

Whitmarsh revolutionised the team, he was a breath of fresh air when he took over. He's a huge asset and turned the team around after the paranoia/persecution that marked the end of Ron Dennis era.

I think they do have a problem in their decision making on race day, so perhaps Whitmarsh's steady approach needs a Gascoigne-esque foil. However Whitmarsh is fundamental to McLaren's future.

[wesley123]

Agreed.

These errors desribed in the article can barely be blamed on him, is it more likely that it happens just because of stupidity or because they are in a rush trying to catch red bull? I think the latter and when you try too hard you make errors, that is just human.

There just is a huge difference between both guys, Dennis was the leader of a racing team, Whitmarsh is the leader of a company, that just is different and require a different approach

[Richard]

I agree - the mistakes they've made remind me of people trying too hard. The front jack man and lollipop men were trying too hard to release Button asap. The fuel simulator person was trying too hard to reduce weight.

[sAx]

There just is a huge difference between both guys, Dennis was the leader of a racing team, Whitmarsh is the leader of a company, that just is different and require a different approach

Not sure I understand the di-section. Dennis has always retained the group lead. Re-organisation proved necessary to prevent further FIA penalty following lie-gate. As MW has acknowledged he reports to Ron and the board. Whatever his functional office, he has not proven to be effective in getting the race team to be competitive, despite the vast resources available to him. Further, he appears to alienate the F1 standard bearer that they spent so much money on preparing for success. Even Jenson appears to have grown tired of his rhetoric!

sAx

[SiLo]

Personally I would love to see Dennis come back. I always thought Mclaren had an extra sense of purpose when he was around. Just that little bit more focus, probably because h e would tear you a new one with that icy glare, whereas whitmarsh seems a bit too nice.

[internetf1fan]

Today showed why mclaren needs to start focusing on Hamilton jus like Ferrari with Allonso. Ron focused on Hamilton in 2008 and he gave them their first championship in years. MW on the other hand by dividing focus among two drivers isn't getting best of any.

[wesley123]

Today showed why mclaren needs to start focusing on Hamilton jus like Ferrari with Allonso. Ron focused on Hamilton in 2008 and he gave them their first championship in years. MW on the other hand by dividing focus among two drivers isn't getting best of any.

What a rubbish. They are having equal points in the championship, focussing all on Hamilton is just stupid. Their drivers have equal treatment, although to a point one driver will get an update sooner then another and the highest placed driver in the race has the advantage in tactics.

Apart from that, I think it is pretty clear that Hamilton + McLaren is an broken marriage, the way withmarsh is constantly talking around questions and doing his best not to offend Hamilton together with his facial expression says enough to me. I, if I was in this position, would in no way place my bets on a driver who is going to leave the team after a though few years and who is barely trying to defend his team, certainly not when you have a driver like Button.

[astracrazy]

Personally I would love to see Dennis come back. I always thought Mclaren had an extra sense of purpose when he was around. Just that little bit more focus, probably because h e would tear you a new one with that icy glare, whereas whitmarsh seems a bit too nice.

I know what you mean. Smiley smiley is every other team happy with this etc etc. Ron would take no crap, Martin seems to want to sit down and come to some agreement which suits everyone. Ok thats good for FOTA but is it really for Mclaren?

[clarkiesyeah]

Should he go? He should certainly grow a pair and put his drivers before the sponsors, tell them:

No, you cant have lewis or jenson for your day long advertising promo event. Thats if you want to sponsor winners not also-rans.

Yes indeed, would be smart, then vodafone doesnt extend the contract, making them have what, like 200 million less a year? that would sure give them a shot at the world championships!

These PR events are driven by vodafone, and McLaren obviously get a huge amount of money from vodafone by participating in these events.

Seems like Whitmarsh did grow a pair after Silverstone. Lewis had sponsership commitments cancelled and was allowed to take a break on the run up to Germany. Look at the result. A focused, determined and winning drive. What sponser in their right mind is going to drop a winner simply because that winner is human and needs time out, just like the rest of us.

Well done MW, you did what was needed and you have been rewarded accordingly, take note.

[wesley123]

Should he go? He should certainly grow a pair and put his drivers before the sponsors, tell them:

No, you cant have lewis or jenson for your day long advertising promo event. Thats if you want to sponsor winners not also-rans.

Yes indeed, would be smart, then vodafone doesnt extend the contract, making them have what, like 200 million less a year? that would sure give them a shot at the world championships!

These PR events are driven by vodafone, and McLaren obviously get a huge amount of money from vodafone by participating in these events.

Seems like Whitmarsh did grow a pair after Silverstone. Lewis had sponsership commitments cancelled and was allowed to take a break on the run up to Germany. Look at the result. A focused, determined and winning drive. What sponser in their right mind is going to drop a winner simply because that winner is human and needs time out, just like the rest of us.

Well done MW, you did what was needed and you have been rewarded accordingly, take note.

So just because he had one time cancelled makes you faster? that is just a load of bs. McLaren were just sandbagging in the FP which made people think they would have been nowhere. Button was really well on pace too, in case you did not notice

[clarkiesyeah]

So just because he had one time cancelled makes you faster? that is just a load of bs. McLaren were just sandbagging in the FP which made people think they would have been nowhere. Button was really well on pace too, in case you did not notice

How is it BS when hamilton himself spoke of the dangers of burnout through excessive sponsership commitments? He was clearly sendind a message, which was received loud and clear by Martin Whitmarsh.
You need to understand the psycology behind the words and actions. Lewis, rightly or wrongly, felt like the team were taking more than they were giving, putting him in a negative place mentally. We all know that drivers need to feel positive, Whitmarsh knows this too. By giving Lewis the time off, after the burnout comment, MW reaffirmed his commitment to LH, putting Lewis in a better mindset.
Button may well have been on the pace, but his qualifying was a second and and a half slower than lewis, make no mistakes, Hamilton won because he put himself in the posistion to win by getting on the front row, something rarely seen this season.
So, i ask politely, how is it BS?