McLaren eyes second straight win

McLaren believes a further series of updates on its MP4-24 for the European Grand Prix should mean it can challenge for a second successive victory this weekend.

Having made big strides with its previously troublesome car at the German round last month, Lewis Hamilton claimed the team’s first victory since last October at the Hungaroring to give the team a major boost heading into the long summer break.

Whitmarsh says it is now pivotal for the final phase of the season that it maintains that form going into the Valencia weekend – something he is confident it is capable of doing given the latest series of developments.

“While the summer break has meant we’ve had four weeks to enjoy Lewis’s victory in Budapest, it’s very important that we are able to maintain that winning momentum into this weekend’s race,” he said.

“Fortunately, we have made a structured effort to bring further improvements to the car in Spain and the whole team has been buoyed by that win and is really looking forward to another strong set of results this weekend.

“I’ve no doubts that we’ll certainly hit the ground running on Friday.”

With the weekend also marking a special anniversary for its fruitful partnership with Mercedes, Whitmarsh is glad the team is now back in competitive shape.

“The grand prix also marks the 250th race of our team partnership with Mercedes-Benz, it is pleasing to have reached this important milestone off the back of a win and we are all focused on continuing this form here in Valencia.”

Reigning world champion Hamilton, meanwhile, says he is looking forward to the season re-starting after an unusually long four-week holiday.

The 24-year-old believes the harbourside street track should again play to the improving MP4-24’s strengths, with the car’s KERS function likely to prove an added advantage once more given the lack of overtaking seen at the new circuit so far.

“It’s great to be getting back to business after the four-week break,” Hamilton admitted.

“I’m still buzzing from the win in Hungary and I’m hopeful of being able to carry that pace into the Valencia weekend – particularly with our new upgrades to the car.

“It’s a very demanding circuit, the kind of place that punishes any mistakes hard.

“It’s quite tight and relatively slow, so it should suit our package. It’s also very difficult to overtake, as we discovered last year – but, with our KERS, Mercedes-Benz has proved that anything can happen and I’m once again hoping that it will provide the difference in the race.”

Team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, who finished fifth in Hungary, is confident of adding to his points tally in Valencia, although he concedes the faster venue may not suit McLaren quite as well as the tight and twisty Hungaroring.

“Having driven the fully updated car for the first time in Hungary last month, it was very encouraging to be able to feel just how much progress the team has made developing MP4-24," Kovalainen said.

“We’ve now got a car that’s much easier to drive on the limit, and which really rewards your input.

“So I’m really looking forward to the European Grand Prix, which, while it won’t suit us as strongly as the Hungaroring, should be another strong opportunity for us to score some more points.”

He added: “After the summer break, I think the whole team is really looking forward to the second half of the season. We’re all refreshed and united. I think there’s a lot of potential for the remaining races.”

Source: ITV