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.)

 

[Incubus]

I think they should sack everyone at McLaren and put us forum members in charge of the team.

Judging by the posts on this thread we know far more about Formula One and how teams should be run than Ron, Martin and co.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I'll do it, then you can all stand in a line and I'll pick my favourites to be on my team regardless of competency..

 

[teabagyokel]

And so we come to the crux really. It's all Button's fault. The performance differential was really large at McLaren at times in 2012, Spa in particular jumps to mind.

Button is a Champion and would have had a day where he'd have got it to the podium if he'd had the potential to do so.

But the point is, all teams have bad seasons and that includes the Dennis McLaren, the Todt Ferrari and everyone else.

 

[Mephistopheles]

It's all Button's fault.

I knew it!!!!!! Damn him damn him to HELL!........

 

[Quintessentially]

Yes yes, the inevitable horse laugh . Martin Whitmarsh is really a nice man and boo hiss to that fast and reliable beverage car.

 

[teabagyokel]

He had more good times than bad in his premiership at McLaren. With a nod to Jen and her suggestion of impropriety, it looks from my armchair that Boullier would be an excellent replacement; I would agree that's a potential step up.

 

[Titch]

Boullier at McLaren. I dare to disagree.

 

[Mephistopheles]

I have a massive problem with Eric,,,, he's French....

My ancestors didn't fight the hundred years war just for this sort of carry on to happen...

 

[teabagyokel]

Mephistopheles - No, they fought it so the English could run France. And lost. To a 13-year-old peasant girl.

 

[FB]

I wouldn't trust a Frenchman to run a bath.

 

[Titch]

The papers are saying that Boulliers probable move to McLaren is because of his contacts with the Bahrain Royal Family.

 

[Jen]

Was he a eunuch at some stage?

 

[Titch]

That's an interesting thought Jen. He certainly doesn't have a load of gallic charm, that's for sure.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

I think it could be pretty interesting. He hasn't done a bad job at Lotus. I'd have preferred Ross Brawn though.

 

[Il_leone]

Was not Lewis Hamilton not winning 2007 driver's title - Ron Dennis' fault or was I imagining things that a bald chap sitting in the Mclaren pit acting as team principal wanted to stick to everyone Mclaren winning namely Lewis despite seeing him sliding around for a few laps with a worn tyre

Then to cap it all off Ron sent Martin Whitmarsh to do the interview with ITV that " We were racing Alonso !"

 

[Il_leone]

Mclaren's winless seasons

1994 - the constant sight of a blown Peageot engine as well as Hakkinen causing a few kamikaze crashes

1995 - more of the same with the embarassing mid wing car and pressure from Marlboro for Ron to sign Mansell who proved to be too fat for car that was £50m to build

then quitting after 2 races after his return

1996 - winless but 6 podiums

2006 - winless and disrupted by Newey's departure to Red Bull, Kimi already going Ferrari as ALonso was confirmed with Montoya really unimpressive and getting sacked

 

[Il_leone]

I should Santander staying with Mclaren is to do with the fact they are doing better as a bank in the UK and clearly the ad with Jenson, Jess Ennis and Rory McIlroy is working ( although it seems to have jinxed each one's own form in their sport)

or could it that Santander want to be the main sponsor and see Alonso coming back as a possibility to stay on

 

[Quintessentially]

Was not Lewis Hamilton not winning 2007 driver's title - Ron Dennis' fault or was I imagining things "

Yes you are. It was Max fiddling with the ECU

 

[Incubus]

I have problems spelling Peugeot as well. (Poeugeot? Peuguot?)

 

[Chad Stewarthill]

Was he a eunuch at some stage?

Are you implying by that question that he might not be a eunuch any more?