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.)

 

[Il_leone]

apparently Lewywo4 the suspension is facing protests which are likely to be vetoed and the other teams are cueing up to copy it

 

[Mephistopheles]

Il_leone if I were petty minded and didn't take a rational view on things then I would be the one saying how crap Martin is as he gave the driver I prefer support a crap car to drive last season, but I'm not like that and just see it as one of those things, it is a pity other people cannot be less subjective on the matter.

The reason I say less subjective before anyone tries to correct me is because.

Subjective.

based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

They should consider the facts of the matter not their own petty interests....

 

[Mephistopheles]

Teams in F1 contest things on other cars to make sure they are legal before they start copying it not to get it banned or removed from another car...

The suspension and rear wing design was signed off by the FIA in the middle of last year McLaren have no case to answer the other teams are merely seeking confirmation that's all.

 

[Titch]

Everyone is overlooking the fact that we have F1 cars on track. Brand new for 2014, and full of potential. The first test of the season proves nothing, other than the fact that they exist.

 

[Lewywo4]

apparently Lewywo4 the suspension is facing protests which are likely to be vetoed and the other teams are cueing up to copy it

ll_leone.....Mclaren may have had a terrible season last year, but they defintely haven't lost their touch regarding innovation, and looks as if they have found a good one, with these blockers on their rear suspension.

 

[Bill Boddy]

So that's why Vettel was running away, he was off to redesign the Red Bull.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/72599000/jpg/_72599694_sebastianvettel5.jpg

 

[Mephistopheles]

I see that McLaren have finally dropped the name Vodafone from their web site and are now simply called McLaren Mercedes, and about time too, even if Google hasn't caught up with that fact yet....

Edit

Well at time of posting anyway...

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

I can see their Wikipedia page has been updated already.

 

[Quintessentially]

I think aerodynamically the McLaren looks the most interesting followed by the Redbull.

 

[Titch]

Yes it's a good looking car.

 

[F1Yorkshire]

Just had An email from sports direct. The McLaren clothing range is now on sale with 90% discounts. A lot of it is Vodafone sponsored gear but still bargains to be had.

 

[rufus_mcdufus]

Good spot - except running out quick judging by the sizes I'm not normally keen on team clothing or stuff with logos all over it but their gear tends to be really good quality.

 

[Lewywo4]

I wonder what info that Mercedes, may not during the course of the season pass on to Mclaren?............Good.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/112466

 

[Titch]

Has anyone else seen the McLaren P1 road car? It's fantastic, and so quick. I hope that their race car, can do the same sort of speed.
I want one.

 

[Hamberg]

Yes. It's so beautiful it makes Jessica Michiabatta look ugly.

 

[RasputinLives]

Managment structure and Whitmarsh future still very unclear. Apparently Whitmarsh contacted Boullier about the job! How did that go?

"Bonjour Eric. Fancy doing my job?"

The whole article reads like it was written by Road of Bones for Apex though and I can't help but giggle at it.

 

[RasputinLives]

http://m.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/307324/dennis-silent-over-whitmarsh-s-future/

This article by the way!

 

[Bill Boddy]

Has Dennis lost the plot?

"Our cars will not feature a title sponsor at the first event," Dennis explained on Thursday. "But it will definitely feature a title sponsor in the next few events. Why? Because I strongly believe we are Manchester United."

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/307321/dennis-no-title-sponsor-for-opening-race/

 

[ZakspeedYakspeed]

the ManYoo reference makes a lot of sense ... lots of talent leaving on the design side (Vidic, et al on the way out) ... putting the faith in young Magnus (Januzaj) ... Whitmarsh aging several years in a season last year (Moyes) ... the legendary old boss Dennis still with his hand at the tiller (Ferguson) ...

 

[Bill Boddy]

Are you saying that SAF will return to Old Trafford as Head Coach (is that what managers are called today?)?