McLaren F1
McLaren's thoughts on 2009
By Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
January 17 2009
After the launch of the new McLaren MP4-24, the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes formula one teams key employees gave their thoughts on the 2009 car and the 2009 season, which they hope will bring McLaren the drivers and the constructors championships.
RON DENNIS - Chairman & CEO, McLaren Group Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Assuming a shareholding in the McLaren team in 1980, Ron Dennis (61) ushered in an era of unparalleled success for the legendary Formula 1 marque, overseeing 10 drivers’ world championships and seven constructors’ titles. His vision also allowed McLaren to develop from a specialist racing operation into a group of high-technology businesses. He has nurtured the talents of global superstars such as Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton.
“Last year was immensely satisfying for everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, but our intense focus ahead of ’09 gave us little time for celebration. The regulatory changes have only increased our ambition to remain at the competitive vanguard and, for this year, our target is clear: to win both world championships if possible. Lofty aims, I grant you, but we exist to win.”
MARTIN WHITMARSH - COO, McLaren Group CEO Formula 1, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Joining McLaren from BAE Systems in 1989 first as head of operations and latterly as managing director of McLaren Racing, Martin Whitmarsh (50) has been instrumental in assisting McLaren’s growth and diversification as a company as well as overseeing the race team’s engineering and manufacturing functions. Appointed COO in 2005, he now oversees the operation of all of the McLaren Group companies.
“The new regulations for 2009 are the biggest changes to Formula 1 for many, many years and are expected to significantly affect every team’s competitive parameters. As such, this year’s world championship could well be won through strength in depth, resourcefulness and sheer ingenuity. And the reality is that we feel very well-equipped to fight in every single one of those areas.”
NORBERT HAUG - Vice-president, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
A dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast with a true passion for automobile racing, Norbert Haug (56) has overseen the Motorsport division of legendary German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz since 1990. In partnership since 1995, McLaren-Mercedes has achieved 58 grand prix victories, three drivers’ world titles and firmly established the Mercedes-Benz name as one of motorsport’s most illustrious brands.
“The 2009 season will probably pose the most difficult range of technical challenges in contemporary Formula 1 history. These include new aerodynamic rules, the reintroduction of slick tyres, the implementation of KERS combined with the stringent testing restrictions. In addition, the recently introduced and very important cost-saving ideas will make the ’09 world championship campaign a singularly demanding affair.
“The overriding focus of the 2009 technical regulations has been cost reduction. Not only have we been striving to achieve this together with the other teams but at the same time have also been developing our own individual cost-efficient systems. Having said that, I am also of the belief that these rule changes will significantly improve the Formula 1 show – and that’s great for the fans.
“And, of course, this process of continuously reducing costs does not imply that we will expend any less effort and energy in achieving the same result as in the 2008 drivers’ championship and one better in the constructors’ rankings than last year.”
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
17/01/2009 09:41
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
