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.)

 

[Splash]

The people at SAP get really annoyed when you pronounce it "sap". It should be S.A.P.

 

[Jen]

Or A.S.A.P

 

[soccerman17]

It's actually pronouned TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

 

[Mephistopheles]

What is the point in calling it a filming day when all I can find is two pictures of the car standing still and zero footage of the car actually moving so that we could here what the new engine sounds like.

Either release some film or don't call it a bloody filming day...

 

[cider_and_toast]

Then they would all have to call it a testing day and everyone would get confused because its supposed to be banned.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Q. When does 60 miles = 1000 kilometres?

A. When you're a Ferrari....

 

[Titch]

But the question remains, who apart from Alonso will be driving the SAP.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Mika, I'm sure he's got a comeback in him.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Yes I'm sure Ron would welcome him with an open fly..

 

[KekeTheKing]

Hakkinen could probably still match the meager results McLaren has earned this year.

 

[Bushi]

The last time he tested an f1 car was at the end of 2006 and the times he produced where about 4 sec.of the pace.

 

[F1Yorkshire]

Interesting tweet from Red Bull

Red Bull Racing Spy ‏@redbullf1spy 1m1 minute ago
Red Bull Gives You Wings.

 

[cider_and_toast]

It's already been noted on the beeb that KMag ran with a revised wing in FP1 that in Andrew Bensons words "looked like the Red Bull wing". I wonder if that has anything to do with McLarens new aerodynamacist

 

[Andyoak]

I hope it's not on a fax somewhere...

 

[cider_and_toast]

The words "oh no not again"spring to mind.

In reality though a designer will always use what he knows and try these things out. Unless they invent a men in black style mind wipe.

Any improvement for McLaren at this stage of the season is to little too late. Or an early start for next year in which case they are right on the ball.

 

[Incubus]

Incredible achievement for Alonso.

Thanks to his contacts, this time he has managed to bring his six tenths to a team before he even joins them.

 

[cider_and_toast]

Dear Ron

Please find enclosed a pair of red shoes. Click them together three times and say "there's no driver like Alonso....". As quick as a flash 6 tenths will appear.

Fernando

 

[Mephistopheles]

Apparently Alonso's farts smell only of rose water and honey...

 

[cider_and_toast]

That would explain why Kimi has struggled this season, apparently he hates Rose Water. It doesn't mix well with Vodka.

 

[Andyoak]

But vodka and honey is so much classier than vodka and red bull