Current McLaren

Arguably one of the big teams in Formula One but lately they don't seem to be able to get the basics right.
Some of their strategy and decisions in the last few years has left more than a few observers scratching their heads.

Just a few for starters:

• Leaving Kimi out on a badly flat-spotted tyre, resulting in it exploding on the last lap.
• Leaving Hamilton out on tyres so badly worn they were down to the canvas; Bridgestone themselves demanded that McLaren bring him in and McLaren refused, keeping him out for a few more laps. That decision arguably cost Hamilton the first rookie WDC and is one which will haunt him and McLaren for the rest of their days.
• Not sending Button and Hamilton out to get banker laps in during Q1.
• Sending Hamilton out on used tyres in Q3, with rain forecast, meaning it would be impossible to set a fast lap time on his second attempt on new tyres.

Their major updates seem to send them further down the grid, instead of challenging for pole positions and wins. As the season progresses they tend to get worse before getting better, by which time it is generally too late.

It's often said of them "write them off at your peril", but is this necessarily true?

The last time they won the WCC was in 1998 and their last WDC was 2008, before that 1999.
Their days of regularly winning championships seem to be well and truly behind them.

It's all well and good coming up with reasons why they haven't won championships.
The fact remains though, they have won just one WDC in the last 12 years.

So where to now for McLaren?

(I wrote this in rather a hurry so I will flesh it out when I have more time.)

 

[F1Yorkshire]

I've never associated Sony with the colour orange even though I've been a playstation owner ever since the original PSX. I've always seen Sony as being dark blue if anything. Suppose it is a good contrasting colour to use against the orange. A quick image search for Sony Computer Entertainment does bring up a few Orange images but the main colour of their products and branding seems to be blue especially when it comes to playstation.

 

[pirateplunder]

Sony computer entertainment, the part of sony that develops the PS etc, does indeed have an orange logo but its not exactly what people associate with Sony. Still might be enough to create a link/synergy.

 

[The Pits]

It would appear to be a time for board room changes.

It looks like Ron Dennis has taken up the role of CEO, which was previously held by Martin Whitmarsh.

Something afoot?

Sounds intriguing, something to ponder now the main drivers are confirmed and the numbers are sorted!!

 

[The Pits]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula-one/25766407
building story

Sounds serious, could be the end of the road for Whitmarsh. Or maybe the start of the Brawn era?

 

[The Pits]

A bit more insight from James Allen

http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/01/ron-dennis-retakes-control-of-mclaren-what-next-for-whitmarsh/

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

I really can't think of any team principals likely to take Martin's place. It's not as if there's any really top flight ones going spare is it? Oh hang on...

 

[Mephistopheles]

Ah lovely some nice juicy intrigue to keep us going in the off season. -rubs hands together smiley-

 

[downforce]

This has to be a positive, I've never been convinced by Whitmarsh's leadership.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Nor me, but then ultimately he was probably Ron's yes man anyhow so maybe didn't have a huge amount of autonomy.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Brawn would be a good fit for the job, here's keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[teabagyokel]

Road of Bones - Just what could have been predicted by ITMTC fans given the last week's tragic news.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

The fact Whitmarsh wasn't even at the meeting suggests to me he's gone already.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I can't see a post by R_o_B teabagyokel

 

[sobriety]

*Sigh* I suspect that the 2014 McLaren will be an absolute dog then...

 

[Mephistopheles]

Why should that be?

 

[siffert_fan]

Can't say that the "news" impresses me because 1) I think he has always been the real power there with MW as window dressing, and 2) I have always felt the same about RD as I do about Flav--I can't stand either one.

 

[Mephistopheles]

The list of TP's I don't like is far longer than for the ones I do siffert_fan even Colin Chapman is on the longer list.

 

[Hamberg]

Good. Last season was inexcusable.

 

[Road of Bones]

I can't see a post by R_o_B teabagyokel

Hmm...got a bit behind while I was cooking tea, it would seem!

Interesting news, and with his Eccleship under fire, Mosley gone and Martin having presided over a pretty paltry campaign last year, it would seem that the time for "Project 5" is nigh...

Joking apart, I hope he hires Ross! As I said on another thread (I think) - perhaps Ross misses working with JB?

 

[Greenlantern101]

Whitmarsh for Bernies job, dead cert.