2010
EUROPEAN Grand Prix preview
Jenson
Button
“As
a team, we’ve taken maximum points in the last two races and it feels
like we’ve really gathered considerable momentum. The team really is
functioning as a single unit, so I think we head into Valencia next
weekend hopeful of being able to once again capitalise on that
determination and ambition.
“Even
though it’s a street circuit, it’s got quite a different feel to other
street tracks like Monte-Carlo or Singapore. For a start, it’s quite a
bit faster – there are some low-speed corners with some fairly
unforgiving walls at the apex, but there are also some high-speed changes
of direction and some long straights, so it’s quite an interesting place
set-up-wise. It’s not as if you completely rely on downforce, there’s
a trade-off, and that should suit our package.
“Valencia
is also the final race before two important stop-offs in the UK: our home
race at Silverstone and, before that, the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Both
are events where the British fans will be out in force. And, as world
champion, I’m looking forward to both events. Silverstone will be an
incredible experience, and I get to achieve a childhood dream of driving
one of Alain Prost’s classic McLarens, the MP4/2C, at Goodwood.
Sometimes, I can’t believe how lucky I am.”
Lewis
Hamilton
“I’m
really looking forward to racing in Valencia. I had a great, attacking
race there last year – but I’ve finished second for the past two
seasons, so I feel like I have some unfinished business!
“I
also think it’s good for the championship to have a variety of circuits
– we’ve just come from a fast, flowing road course in Canada, to a
tight street track in Valencia. And, next month, we’ll be at Silverstone
– one of the fastest tracks of the year, and a circuit with incredible
history. As a driver, that sort of variety makes the racing exciting and
unpredictable, which is all you can really ask for.”
“The
last few grands prix have had some fantastic racing – it would be great
for all the Spanish fans if we can have a great race here too. It’s not
a circuit where we’ve seen too much passing in the past, but I think
this year could be different – the grid is so tight, there were battles
all through the field in Montreal last week, so I think we could have a
close and exciting race this year.”
Martin
Whitmarsh
Team
principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
“After
two consecutive one-twos, it certainly felt like Bruce McLaren himself was
looking down on us and smiling, particularly after we recently
commemorated the 40th anniversary of his death.
“I’m
sure Bruce would also have appreciated the relentless and dedicated
approach we have taken to the engineering and development of MP4-25 – I
think we’ve shown in the past two races that we lack nothing in terms of
hunger and motivation. And with our car being constantly developed, I
believe we can continue to be a threat at the majority of remaining races
on the calendar.
“Of
course, we’re no strangers to relentless development – it’s one of
the team’s greatest strengths – and we’re absolutely committed to
maximising every last component in the search for performance. Nothing is
too small to be overlooked, and it’s that holistic approach that really
brings rewards, allowing us to eke out performance in every single area of
the car.
“It’s
also an approach we’re increasingly focusing on with the team, too:
we’re looking at pitstops, engineering, strategy – and we’re seeing
practical and material benefits in those areas, too.”
|
