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Mclaren always want to "babysit" their drivers!


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#1 BackOnTop

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 20:37

Martin Whitmarsh- SkySports F1
"Perez is going to find a different world at McLaren," "He will turn up in Australia next year with so much more pressure on his shoulders and that is something he has to be groomed to deal with".

Really, Mclaren!! :rolleyes:

Seriously, this is the reason why young drivers like Maldonado, Grosjean, Perez etc are getting out of hand. The team management these days act like annoying mothers. No wonder it seems like these young drivers 'mentally revolt' and crash/spin just to p!ss them off. Also, they then try extra hard to please their parental mentality teams, which leads to even more crash/spins.

Don't hire, but if you hire for money... then you deserve all the lost points. It's not the drivers fault for being green, it's the teams fault for being greedy.

And Mclaren, they simply take the cake for trying to mould everything to their creepy corporate robot mentality, that simply discourages real drivers personalities to shine.

They tried to "Groom" JP Montoya, who packed up and left for America out of frustration.
They tried to "Groom" Kimi Raikkonen, who made close to zero mistake in a Sauber in his rookie year.
They tried to "Groom" Fernando Alonso, who was the current back to back World Champion.
They tried to "Groom" Lewis Hamilton, who they still treat as a 13 year old boy who walked up to Ron.

And now they seem to already have a "Let's GROOM Perez memo" project.

Mr.Mclaren, the 3 "current" Great World Champions were really happy to run away from your foster home... so Stop Grooming people. More to the point, STOP HIRING drivers for your race winning cars if you think they are not ready. Mr.Luca had already warned you about Perez, so suck it up & allow him to deliver, adjust & perform his own way.

Also, if Mclaren had doubts, why the hell couldn't they wait till the season was over to "confirm" their driver. It's not like Perez, Hulkenberg, DiResta etc were being auctioned off like crazy on ebay. Here too, Mclaren tried to screw Hamilton, their current WDC, by playing the one-upmanship game by ruining his announcement day to Mercedes. They wanted to show Hamilton who is dad by announcing Perez first. Extremely poor taste.

Serves them right for thinking F1 is a TV reality show if Perez turns out to be a dud. But, first, my only concern is that they'll suck the passion out of him before he starts performing according to his own personal style.

Edited by BackOnTop, 08 November 2012 - 07:12.


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#2 BackOnTop

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 20:49

Martin Whitmarsh
"If you turn up and we're not on the first two rows and not competing for the win, then ourselves and Ferrari get that pressure in the way that no other F1 team does. When Red Bull weren't competitive no one was piling into them so there is an added pressure to being a McLaren driver.

"He might think he understands it, but he doesn't."



So much for under-estimating your future driver. :down:

Edited by BackOnTop, 07 November 2012 - 21:06.


#3 pingu666

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 20:50

you forgot heikki

they didnt try to groom button, did they?

#4 Risil

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 20:56

No, but Jenson was always exceptionally well-groomed. ;)

Edited by Risil, 07 November 2012 - 20:56.


#5 BackOnTop

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 20:58

you forgot heikki

they didnt try to groom button, did they?

That's because Button's personality is in close match to what Mclaren wants. He is their perfect image while being an excellent driver on track too.

So, dad always compare him to their second son, always wondering why can't he be like JenSON. :lol: :lol:

Edited by BackOnTop, 07 November 2012 - 21:00.


#6 hass80

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 21:04

The issue with McLaren is this whole corporate stiffness attitude that has come down from management.

Desk must be tidy, no personal sponsors if they overlap with McLaren's. Drivers briefed left right and centre. Drivers doing so many sponsor related activities. It's almost like they want everyone to be the same.

Whereas you have characters like Alonso, Kimi and Lewis who simply don't want to be this almost robot like machine that McLaren demand.

I'm a massive McLaren fan, have been for over 20 years. But it hurts watching the team become this sort of souless entity. You see RedBull having a party, you see other teams being able to enjoy themselves but at McLaren all you see and hear is how it's immaculately clean, the one piece of paper on a desk allowed policy.

I mean come on! Live a little! Just seems there's no emotion allowed.

#7 superdelphinus

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 21:05

Whitmarsh has made some pretty interesting comments re Perez recently. Doesn't seem too sure in his decision any more!

#8 Cacarella

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 21:08

Martin Whitmarsh- SkySports F1
"Perez is going to find a different world at McLaren," "He will turn up in Australia next year with so much more pressure on his shoulders and that is something he has to be groomed to deal with".


When I read this quote all I get from it is that Martin Whitmarsh thinks that Perez will need help adjusting to the high pressure life of a Mclaren driver.
I'm not seeing anything about how he's going to 'groom' him to fit into Mclaren, or 'groom' him to be a more reliable driver.

In fact I quite agree with MW's assessment, just look at the criticism leveled at Perez's ever since he signed the new deal. A month ago he
was the future face of Ferrari, only they didn't want to sign him because he was going to beat Fernando and upset the balance of the team.
Now the shift in opinion is that MW has made yet another blunder and signed the wrong driver and Ferrari was telling the truth all along (with
regards to Perez's immaturity).

I know there's a LOT of disappointment in the Mclaren world with recent form and the loss of a great driver but I think you might
be seeing something that isn't there.

#9 Nobody

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 21:44

A fast car fixes everything, including whinging 'fans'.

Everything else is sideshow b.s.

#10 P123

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 23:11

I don't see it as a general team management problem that exists in F1. Grosjean has always been a bit spin/ crash prone, and that is against the pressure of not having a secure seat. Perhaps trying too hard. Maldonado on the otherhand seems too secure in his seat at times with some of the moves he pulls.

As for McLaren.... trying to change/ groom drivers is nothing new to them. We heard it before Montoya arrived, we heard it all through Hamilton's junior career, they wanted Kimi to behave differently out of the track. In a way they have to be careful they don't smother Perez before he even starts. Less talk on such would be welcome.

#11 Massa

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 23:19

A fast car fixes everything, including whinging 'fans'.

Everything else is sideshow b.s.



I think the current Mclaren car was very fast this year...

#12 Shiroo

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 23:34

for Button, the car is fast when he has 1sec advantage over everyone else (Hamilton would have like 1,8 probably).
Button is super whiny dunno why. After he recently mentioned that this car is worst in last 3 years (where Hamilton got 7 PPs this year) I lost a hell of respect for him as a driver (maybe he is top bloke, but he's driving bleh). He can't ever admit his own mistake like "I went full ****** with the setup" or smt.

about Perez and babysitting. For few years that they already are "babysitting" drivers they got in total 1 WDC title. Quite achievement... NOT

#13 BillBald

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 00:09

A fast car fixes everything, including whinging 'fans'.

Everything else is sideshow b.s.


McLaren need to produce a fast and reliable car, and not mess up operationally.

And especially, they need to have a good long look at how they make pitwall decisions.

I can guarantee that, if they get it right, the whinging will stop. Perez will find it much easier to cope with the pressure if they enable him to get some good results, eg with well-timed and efficient pitstops which don't drop him into traffic.



#14 ViMaMo

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 01:03

MW: "Checo, I will see you on Monday and dont forget that haircut. All the way down the hall and to the right. " :)

#15 Craven Morehead

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 04:34

MW: "Checo, I will see you on Monday and dont forget that haircut. All the way down the hall and to the right. " :)


Ha, remember Alonso's military haircut at Mclaren?

There is some truth in the fact that JPM, KR, FA, and now LH have all left Macca in recent years. That's quite a list of great drivers.

#16 aray

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 06:32

In that regard drivers are not any less 'douche'....kimi(i don't care a ****)raikonnen,fernanado(i am rightful receiver of prime attention)alonso and lewis(i am superstar,got it?)hamilton...
on way or other we support one(or more) of them.....
Teams have right to be 'picky' as much as drivers...


Martin Whitmarsh- SkySports F1
"Perez is going to find a different world at McLaren," "He will turn up in Australia next year with so much more pressure on his shoulders and that is something he has to be groomed to deal with".

Really, Mclaren!! :rolleyes:

Seriously, this is the reason why young drivers like Maldonado, Grosjean, Perez etc are getting out of hand. The team management these days act like annoying mothers. No wonder it seems like these young drivers 'mentally revolt' and crash/spin just to p!ss them off. Also, they then try extra hard to please their parental mentality teams, which leads to even more crash/spins.

Don't hire, but if you hire for money... then you deserve all the lost points. It's not the drivers fault for being green, it's the teams fault for being greedy.

And Mclaren, they simply take the cake for trying to mould everything to their creepy corporate robot mentality, that simply discourages real drivers personalities to shine.

They tried to "Groom" Kimi Raikkonen, who made close to zero mistake in a Sauber in his rookie year.
They tried to "Groom" Fernando Alonso, who was the current back to back World Champion.
They tried to "Groom" Lewis Hamilton, who they still treat as a 13 year old boy who walked up to Ron.

And now they seem to already have a "Let's GROOM Perez memo" project.

Mr.Mclaren, the 3 "current" Great World Champions were really happy to run away from your foster home... so Stop Grooming people. More to the point, STOP HIRING drivers for your race winning cars if you think they are not ready. Mr.Luca had already warned you about Perez, so suck it up & allow him to deliver, adjust & perform his own way.

Also, if Mclaren had doubts, why the hell couldn't they wait till the season was over to "confirm" their driver. It's not like Perez, Hulkenberg, DiResta etc were being auctioned off like crazy on ebay. Here too, Mclaren tried to screw Hamilton, their current WDC, by playing the one-upmanship game by ruining his announcement day to Mercedes. They wanted to show Hamilton who is dad by announcing Perez first. Extremely poor taste.

Serves them right for thinking F1 is a TV reality show if Perez turns out to be a dud. But, first, my only concern is that they'll suck the passion out of him before he starts performing according to his own personal style.



#17 Nobody

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 06:37

Seriously, this is the reason why young drivers like Maldonado, Grosjean, Perez etc are getting out of hand. The team management these days act like annoying mothers. No wonder it seems like these young drivers 'mentally revolt' and crash/spin just to p!ss them off. Also, they then try extra hard to please their parental mentality teams, which leads to even more crash/spins.


Comparing young drivers' 'green' behaviour with that of your neighbors 14yo sister is a little insulting at best, and ****ing stupid at worst.

And how all roads lead back to McLaren bamboozles me even more...

#18 HPT

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 06:49

I remember Ron's comment about how McLaren "deconstructed Heiki and then reconstructed him" like he's some sort of lego set. Turned out Heiki was still crap.

#19 Talisker

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 06:57

Surely you don't "groom" a driver to handle pressure, you just step up as a team and support him with quality people and minimise the corporate and marketing demands on him as much as possible. You could argue Perez has performed better as a driver than McLaren has as a team over the last year or two, so maybe he should be grooming them?

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#20 BackOnTop

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 07:10

In that regard drivers are not any less 'douche'....kimi(i don't care a ****)raikonnen,fernanado(i am rightful receiver of prime attention)alonso and lewis(i am superstar,got it?)hamilton...
on way or other we support one(or more) of them.....
Teams have right to be 'picky' as much as drivers...

See, no one is saying "Teams don't have the right to choose their drivers??"

But if a team has chosen a driver, they need to be sure they are suitable in every aspect, including personality.

You cannot expect to turn a goat into sheep. Instead, it's better to let either the goat or the sheep do his thing, according to their own personality.

#21 mattferg

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 07:29

Martin Whitmarsh- SkySports F1
"Perez is going to find a different world at McLaren," "He will turn up in Australia next year with so much more pressure on his shoulders and that is something he has to be groomed to deal with".

Really, Mclaren!! :rolleyes:

Seriously, this is the reason why young drivers like Maldonado, Grosjean, Perez etc are getting out of hand. The team management these days act like annoying mothers. No wonder it seems like these young drivers 'mentally revolt' and crash/spin just to p!ss them off. Also, they then try extra hard to please their parental mentality teams, which leads to even more crash/spins.

Don't hire, but if you hire for money... then you deserve all the lost points. It's not the drivers fault for being green, it's the teams fault for being greedy.

And Mclaren, they simply take the cake for trying to mould everything to their creepy corporate robot mentality, that simply discourages real drivers personalities to shine.

They tried to "Groom" JP Montoya, who packed up and left for America out of frustration.
They tried to "Groom" Kimi Raikkonen, who made close to zero mistake in a Sauber in his rookie year.
They tried to "Groom" Fernando Alonso, who was the current back to back World Champion.
They tried to "Groom" Lewis Hamilton, who they still treat as a 13 year old boy who walked up to Ron.

And now they seem to already have a "Let's GROOM Perez memo" project.

Mr.Mclaren, the 3 "current" Great World Champions were really happy to run away from your foster home... so Stop Grooming people. More to the point, STOP HIRING drivers for your race winning cars if you think they are not ready. Mr.Luca had already warned you about Perez, so suck it up & allow him to deliver, adjust & perform his own way.

Also, if Mclaren had doubts, why the hell couldn't they wait till the season was over to "confirm" their driver. It's not like Perez, Hulkenberg, DiResta etc were being auctioned off like crazy on ebay. Here too, Mclaren tried to screw Hamilton, their current WDC, by playing the one-upmanship game by ruining his announcement day to Mercedes. They wanted to show Hamilton who is dad by announcing Perez first. Extremely poor taste.

Serves them right for thinking F1 is a TV reality show if Perez turns out to be a dud. But, first, my only concern is that they'll suck the passion out of him before he starts performing according to his own personal style.


You're actually implying that these new drivers spin off and cause accidents just to piss off their team?

Also, 3 current great world champions are Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso, and I'm pretty sure Vettel never drove for McLaren...

#22 BackOnTop

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 08:02

You're actually implying that these new drivers spin off and cause accidents just to piss off their team?

Also, 3 current great world champions are Vettel, Hamilton and Alonso, and I'm pretty sure Vettel never drove for McLaren...

1- Get a sense of "extreme statements" not necessarily amounting to real facts... but made to over-emphasize reality.

2- Vettel, Alonso & Raikkonen are 1,2,3 in 2012!! But you can continue to have your own opinion. I have no issues with it... but you seem to get all agitated about others personal opinion. Really funny.

Just to clarify, you need to read carefully... it was said the "current 3 great World Champions left Mclaren"... so you need to read again. I don't recall Vettel or MSC leaving Mclaren. Sensitive much, I assume you are are one of the anti-Kimi brigade :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Edited by BackOnTop, 08 November 2012 - 08:08.


#23 aray

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 08:10

See, no one is saying "Teams don't have the right to choose their drivers??"

But if a team has chosen a driver, they need to be sure they are suitable in every aspect, including personality.

You cannot expect to turn a goat into sheep. Instead, it's better to let either the goat or the sheep do his thing, according to their own personality.

but that's the problem...perfect match can rarely be find(if it exist at all)...that's why the tussle goes on always... :smoking:

#24 P123

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 08:31

I remember Ron's comment about how McLaren "deconstructed Heiki and then reconstructed him" like he's some sort of lego set. Turned out Heiki was still crap.


And Heikki didn't need any of that. He started off his rookie year with some crashes, but got stronger and eventually defeated Fisichella. I wouldn't say he was crap at McLaren; not all of his time there anyway. He was hugely unlucky in 2008.

#25 teejay

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 08:41

I think its gotten worse since spygate too - they saw a driver was able to damage the brand (Alonso with holding the team hostage - not judging him in any way shape or form) so decided the best way to keep it from happening was to make everyone even more regulated.

#26 BackOnTop

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 08:57

I think its gotten worse since spygate too - they saw a driver was able to damage the brand (Alonso with holding the team hostage - not judging him in any way shape or form) so decided the best way to keep it from happening was to make everyone even more regulated.

I think you are kinda spot on... Mclaren seems to be a bit paranoid about their image associated with that of their drivers.

They must be justified for Mclaren, but one doesn't need to go 'military' on the drivers.... who got their own lives too.

#27 Ze Bum

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 09:01

I remember Ron's comment about how McLaren "deconstructed Heiki and then reconstructed him" like he's some sort of lego set. Turned out Heiki was still crap.


Heikki was only crap after that reconstruction. He was very good before he was mentally broken by McLaren.

He would have won his first McLaren race without a late safety car that kept him behind Hamilton. Could have been a very different future with that win.


#28 topical

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 09:38

I think someone needs to groom Martin Whitmarsh so he can spend 2013 explaining why a team as good as McLaren have such a weak driver line up.

#29 engel

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 11:42

McLaren has always been a bit weird in that respect, there's stories about Ron having discussions with drivers about their choice of ... girlfriend dating back to the 80s. But IMO what Whitmarsh said was more along the lines of getting Checo used to being at the sharp end and the expectations/pressure that generates.

#30 kismet

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 11:43

Honestly? I tend to side with Whitmarsh. McLaren may be strict and overbearing to the point of annoying the crap out of their more established star drivers but there's nothing fundamentally wrong with acknowledging 1) that a race car driver is not a finished product at the ripe old age of 20 or whatever, and 2) that being expected to contend for wins on a fortnightishly basis is asking a lot, maybe more than a year or two in midfield can prepare a driver for. Heck, I'd say it's the only sensible approach here. We can take offense to MW's choice of words or whatever - apparently 'grooming' isn't something we're in favour of - but ultimately he's only talking about driver development and mental coaching of sorts. McLaren's execution may leave something to be desired but I think they have the right idea. Frankly, I find the idea that there's no need for coaching and development rather bizarre.

#31 paulrobs

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 12:28

Glad that others don't like some of the crap emanating from McLaren recently.

I've been cringing every tme I hear McLaren saying what they need to do to Perez. Unbelievable really and do you know what, maybe some of this crap and pressure and negative words from them about Perez have contributed to his poor performances since he signed for them.

And as for the need to be on the front two rows and challenging for the win every race.... Give me a break, what the hell happened to Button then because he definitely isn't doing that on a regular basis.

I despair about McLaren and their corporate image and processes and procedures and arrogance and wanting to control every single aspect of every single element of what they do in F1. LIfe just ain't like that, sometimes you have to go with gut instinct and play the cards in front of you and you have to be supportive and have some humility.

I reckon that many in McLaren, following last weekend's race, are starting to wonder "WTF have we done...".

Tell you what, if Ross Brawn can show a human side to Hamilton and can make him feel at home and wanted we'll see an even better Hamilton from next year. I know from my own time at the top of a company that you simply cannot keep criticising your workers in public and that it is far better to focus on what people are good at rather than trying to mould them into exactly what you want. Praise in public and criticise in private, it has to be this way. I bet Perez loves seeing McLaren keep saying he's not the finished article, Ferrari thinking he's not mature enough, McLaren think he must do better, he'll be under enormous pressure, etc, etc. The guy will be bricking himself before he even starts there and that won't get the best out of him.

Get a grip McLaren FFS!

Edited by paulrobs, 08 November 2012 - 12:31.


#32 paulrobs

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 12:30

Honestly? I tend to side with Whitmarsh. McLaren may be strict and overbearing to the point of annoying the crap out of their more established star drivers but there's nothing fundamentally wrong with acknowledging 1) that a race car driver is not a finished product at the ripe old age of 20 or whatever, and 2) that being expected to contend for wins on a fortnightishly basis is asking a lot, maybe more than a year or two in midfield can prepare a driver for. Heck, I'd say it's the only sensible approach here. We can take offense to MW's choice of words or whatever - apparently 'grooming' isn't something we're in favour of - but ultimately he's only talking about driver development and mental coaching of sorts. McLaren's execution may leave something to be desired but I think they have the right idea. Frankly, I find the idea that there's no need for coaching and development rather bizarre.


I agree up to a point. I think what's happening here is that it's gone too far. It won't be good for Perez to keep hearing McLaren say the things they're saying.

#33 mattferg

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 12:32

1- Get a sense of "extreme statements" not necessarily amounting to real facts... but made to over-emphasize reality.

2- Vettel, Alonso & Raikkonen are 1,2,3 in 2012!! But you can continue to have your own opinion. I have no issues with it... but you seem to get all agitated about others personal opinion. Really funny.

Just to clarify, you need to read carefully... it was said the "current 3 great World Champions left Mclaren"... so you need to read again. I don't recall Vettel or MSC leaving Mclaren. Sensitive much, I assume you are are one of the anti-Kimi brigade :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


1. I understand extreme statements - they're untrue, pointless, and idiotic. Also, if you overemphasize reality, it isn't reality any more. Just admit you said something stupid.

2. Yes, however without Hamilton's various mechanical issues he'd be higher than Rakkonen for sure. Also, copied directly from your post is "

"Mr.Mclaren, the 3 "current" Great World Champions were really happy to run away". Don't lie like the first point. You never said anything relating to great world champions about leaving McLaren. You implied H, A and R were the three greats at the moment. You know what's funnier than me apparently getting agitated? You misquoting YOURSELF ahaha.

I think you need to read what you type carefully. Unless you're doing it on purpose to piss of "your team" as apparently people do when they make big mistakes :p

#34 OoxLox

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 12:46

It's hard to avoid the conclusion that there's something seriously wrong with the team's approach to drivers when you find one being "deconstructed", another being referred to as a "flawed experiment" and another being "groomed" before he even arrives. Put that alongside the top drivers who have moved on in the last decade and you have to wonder if the micro-management tendencies are leading them to treat drivers like extensions of the machinery - something that can be adjusted and honed in the equivalent of a 'psychological wind tunnel'. :well:

#35 Shiroo

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 12:57

Whitmarsh admited that singing Checo is risky... So why singing him int he frickin first place?

#36 paulrobs

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 13:00

It's hard to avoid the conclusion that there's something seriously wrong with the team's approach to drivers when you find one being "deconstructed", another being referred to as a "flawed experiment" and another being "groomed" before he even arrives. Put that alongside the top drivers who have moved on in the last decade and you have to wonder if the micro-management tendencies are leading them to treat drivers like extensions of the machinery - something that can be adjusted and honed in the equivalent of a 'psychological wind tunnel'. :well:


+1 :up:

That's the way it comes across isn't it. I've posted elsewhere that I see similarities, at least in terms of attitude towards drivers, between McLaren now and Williams in the late 80's to '96. If McLaren aren't careful the top drivers will not want to drive for them and there'll be a gradual decline as a result of this which might not be reversible without a fundamental change in the way they treat drivers. Whatever we think about drivers, the good ones still make a difference and the great ones make a huge difference (despite the regulations and gizmos that have closed the gap between good drivers and the not so good drivers).

There's a great quote from Coulthard recently who said that he feels like a stranger whenever he goes to McLaren despite driving for the team for 9 years.

#37 kosmos

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 13:17

Whitmarsh admited that singing Checo is risky... So why singing him int he frickin first place?



Probably because the rest of the free drivers were a risk too and Perez was more "shiny" because some of his performances this year. This declaration by Martin makes zero sense to me, he was saying some days ago that Perez could be a champion with McLaren, now they are not sure, it's risky....

Edited by kosmos, 08 November 2012 - 13:18.


#38 Shiroo

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 13:25

Probably because the rest of the free drivers were a risk too and Perez was more "shiny" because some of his performances this year. This declaration by Martin makes zero sense to me, he was saying some days ago that Perez could be a champion with McLaren, now they are not sure, it's risky....

Imo DiResta or Hulkenberg were safe pair of hands. In the end Button is team leader, so they should have 2nd solid driver, not quick but with brain fades.


#39 peroa

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 13:34

Another day, another Whitmarsh on Checo article.
I can't help but think that Checo was signed in an emotional, angry rush once they knew LH is leaving in Monza, out of spite.
Ron's body language said it all, really...

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#40 maverick69

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 13:49

Waits for the "Lewis will always be welcome back to drive for McLaren" press release..........

#41 BackOnTop

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 14:25

You Said- "Mr.Mclaren, the 3 "current" Great World Champions were really happy to run away".

You never said anything relating to great world champions about leaving McLaren. You implied H, A and R were the three greats at the moment.

:confused: :confused:

What is the difference between "running away" & "Leaving"??

Edited by BackOnTop, 08 November 2012 - 14:26.


#42 MonzaDriver

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 14:35

+1 :up:

That's the way it comes across isn't it. I've posted elsewhere that I see similarities, at least in terms of attitude towards drivers, between McLaren now and Williams in the late 80's to '96. If McLaren aren't careful the top drivers will not want to drive for them and there'll be a gradual decline as a result of this which might not be reversible without a fundamental change in the way they treat drivers. Whatever we think about drivers, the good ones still make a difference and the great ones make a huge difference (despite the regulations and gizmos that have closed the gap between good drivers and the not so good drivers).

There's a great quote from Coulthard recently who said that he feels like a stranger whenever he goes to McLaren despite driving for the team for 9 years.


Ciao to all.
that quote from David Coulthard speaks volume about Mclaren in Ron Dennis's time.
Nver totally understood the relatonship between team owner and driver.
But I am sure today managers dont understand a lot of things.
MonzaDriver.


#43 Dalton007

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 14:39

Whitmarsh admited that singing Checo is risky... So why singing him int he frickin first place?



Why not? He might be quite special. F1 is a mega risk sport.

#44 pingu666

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 14:56

on the support side, didnt mika leave f1 because he was burnt out ?, another possible fail there :/

i think the media expectation, plus the vast amounts of people in the teams now mean being a front runner in junior formula wont be much preporation for being at the front in f1.



#45 peroa

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 15:02

I don't know if Martin is realizing it or doing it intentionally, every such article, every interview discussing Perez is making things worse even before he turned one wheel for McLaren.
Instead of keeping expectations in check and not reacting to these questions every time Perez has a booboo, he bites every time the media is poking him.
On the other hand it just enforces my opinion about Whitmarsh not having a clue about psychology and how to run a team effectively in every aspect.
Incredibly naive...

Edited by peroa, 08 November 2012 - 15:03.


#46 McRules

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 15:07

you've pretty much hit the nail on the head, just need to add the word "consistently" and you've made a perfect conclusion. :up: :up:

A fast car fixes everything, including whinging 'fans'.

Everything else is sideshow b.s.



#47 MonzaDriver

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 15:18

on the support side, didnt mika leave f1 because he was burnt out ?, another possible fail there :/


Pingu666
do you remember Mika kneeling down and cry behind a bush at Monza after a failure?
It's not normal for a driver, for a sportman to do this.
In my opinion, like yours, he was totally burn out pysicologically, from his own team.

Ciao, MonzaDriver.


#48 pingu666

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 15:42

i wouldnt say it was just the team, but yeah i remmber that :(

#49 boldhakka

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 16:09

If McLaren aren't careful the top drivers will not want to drive for them and there'll be a gradual decline as a result of this which might not be reversible without a fundamental change in the way they treat drivers.


This is already happening. Kimi had two opportunities to re-sign with them and turned them both down.

A great car will continue to attract good drivers of course, but I'm gonna bet that the car isn't going to look so great in the next few years.

#50 sosidge

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Posted 08 November 2012 - 16:50

I have this sneaking suspicion that there will be an outbreak of contract-ripping before the new season begins. Might be a bit expensive, but Lewis knows he doesn't want Merc and Whitmarsh knows he doesn't want Perez...