McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh defends ‘brilliant’ Lewis Hamilton

My man: McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh (left) has defended Lewis Hamilton Photo: GETTY IMAGES By Telegraph staff and agencies 2:32PM GMT 27 Jan 2012 McLaren are just five days away from launching their new car they hope will finally propel them ahead of Red Bull following two years of dominance from their Milton Keynes-based rivals and drivers’ champion Sebastian Vettel. Last season, in particular, was tough for Hamilton who was embroiled in numerous incidents on track, appearing to lose focus at times as personal issues off it also affected him. So when asked whether ”a serious chat” was required with the 27-year-old following ”a tough 2011”, Whitmarsh’s response was emphatic. ”Lewis won three grands prix in 2011, one of only three drivers to have won more than a single race,” said Whitmarsh. ”The other two were Sebastian and (McLaren team-mate) Jenson (Button). Again, just as most teams have never and will never win six grands prix in a single season, as McLaren did last year, it’s equally true to say most drivers have never and will never win three grands prix in a single season, as Lewis did last year. ”Indeed, some of the most compelling highlights of last season’s on-track action, from the point of view of a racer’s sheer talent shining through, were provided by Lewis. In China, Germany and Abu Dhabi, and in many other places besides, he was awesomely impressive. ”Nonetheless, you described 2011 as ‘a tough season’ for Lewis and undoubtedly there’s some truth in that. But, such is the level of his ambition that he’s his own sternest critic. ”Sometimes, therefore, when things don’t go quite right for him, he lets it get to him. We saw that last year sometimes. But it’s a measure of his competitiveness, a side effect of his monumental will to win. ”As such, we wouldn’t want Lewis any other way. He’s a truly brilliant racing driver – one of the fastest we’ve ever seen. And that’s why, throughout last year, we were always keen to reassure him we were backing him 100%.” Underlining what Hamilton has achieved with McLaren in his five years in F1 with the Woking-based team, and many more beyond that given he was recruited at an early age, Whitmarsh, speaking…

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Posted by admin 27 January 2012

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