McLaren Hit Back at Whitmarsh Comments
Follow Us
via Imago
McLaren
Earlier, former McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh said that there was too much political turmoil within the team. However, his comments were met with much criticism within the Woking squad. They said that it was “ill-judged and ill-informed”.
Whitmarsh believed that McLaren “needs a big change of approach” and some leading figures “have to go”. The British team’s podium drought now spans four years despite a winter change of engine supplier.
According to the report, some staff members were unhappy with the situation at Woking. So, they were planning to present their views to Whitmarsh, who served as team principal between 2009 and 2014.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Now, McLaren have responded to the reported comments, and it isn’t pretty.
via Imago
Martin Whitmarsh
“Martin worked for McLaren for many years, but has been outside the business for some time and is not part of our future,” a spokesman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“What he said was ill-judged and ill-informed in our view but he is entitled to his opinion.
“There are high expectations in the team and we won’t compromise those high expectations.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“Everyone at McLaren is working tremendously hard and is focused on the future, not the past.”
After leaving McLaren in 2014, Whitmarsh headed up Ben Ainslie’s America’s Cup operation. Since then, he has taken on various advisory roles.
The Englishman was in the F1 paddock at last month’s Spanish GP in the McLaren garage during a practice session. However, McLaren chief executive Zak Brown affirmed that Whitmarsh’s appearance was not setting up a potential Woking return.
The British marquee are currently fifth in this year’s Constructors’ Championship. But they are yet to break their long podium drought since dropping Honda for Renault power.
Their last 2 races were nightmares as they failed to score points. Ahead of the French Grand Prix, racing director Eric Boullier said: “Our focus must first and foremost be on reliability after our recent spate of retirements. We’ve worked hard to understand our performance issues in Canada and hope that in France we can put in a more representative showing on track.”
Written by:
