Assessment: McLaren at ‘low point’ of its season

For the return to Europe, McLaren did not seem to have progressed as much as its competitors, and this was reflected in its race pace this afternoon, with Martin Whitmarsh considering the Barcelona round as the low point of the season.

Qualified 14th and 18th respectively, the drivers emerged unscathed from the first-lap pile-up, but Lewis Hamilton, hindered by the crashed drivers, found himself in last position. Attacking relentlessly, but struggling as much with his tires as with his competitors, he finished his race in 9th position. Heikki Kovalainen, once again unlucky in the race, had to park his McLaren in the pits after only 7 laps due to a broken gearbox.

The whole team now turns to Monaco, which should suit the MP2/24 much better.

Lewis Hamilton – 9th:

« Today, I experienced a difficult race because we lacked support compared to the best. I was a bit worried about my tires after driving over debris in the first corner, but it had no impact. It was a tough, long race and it was incredibly hard to keep the car on the track, I felt like I was driving on ice at times, especially at the end of the second stint, when my tires were destroyed, and in the last stint, when there was very little grip on the hard tires. »

I gave it 100% throughout the race so ninth place is not a very good reward for the team, who worked hard all weekend. Now, we all hope that Monaco will be a better race for us because the absence of fast corners will suit our car much better than here. In fact, I’m already eager to be there.

Heikki Kovalainen – Retirement:

« Luck really doesn’t seem to be on my side at the moment. It was a disappointing weekend, the car’s performance wasn’t as good as we expected and it was tough for all of us, but that’s life. We mustn’t forget that we have greatly improved the car since our tests here this winter and ultimately we are fighting with Jenson Button and the other guys at the front. I’m already looking forward to Monaco where I will fight harder than ever before. I’m not going to let it get me down. »

Martin Whitmarsh – Director:

« Lewis [Hamilton] had a very good start but after being hindered by another car, he lost time in the start accident and found himself at the back of the pack at the end of the first lap. From there, his task was complicated because the Barcelona circuit does not favor overtaking. Moreover, his tires were destroyed at the end of his second stint and he was passed by Alonso when he made his second stop. »

« But he kept pushing as hard as he could, up to 9th position, hoping that one of the cars ahead would drop out to allow him to score a hard-earned point. Unfortunately, that did not happen, but the fact that Lewis never gives up shows how competitive he is. Heikki [Kovalainen] got off to a good start, but his race ended in a disappointing and unlucky way, with a gearbox failure. »

« We had anticipated that this race would be the low point of our season, and we were right. In two weeks, in Monaco, which is a track really different from Barcelona, things should be significantly better for us. We know that we are not yet where we would like to be, and we will continue to work flat out to get there. »