McLaren Mercedes Needs To Get Act Together
Three races into the 2009 F1 championship, it is apparent that McLaren Mercedes is a mess. The team needs to get its act together and here is how to do it.
Paranoia
McLaren has long been paranoid that Max Mosley and the FIA are out to get it. In many cases, it is clear that this is exactly what has been going on. The brawl between Mosley, Ron Dennis and Bernie Ecclestone is legendary. Is it fair that McLaren takes the brunt of it? Absolutely not. That being said, McLaren needs to stop giving the FIA easy targets.
In 2009, we have “lie-gate”. McLaren and Lewis Hamilton were caught lying directly to the stewards. What was McLaren possibly thinking? They know all the radio conversations are taped. Further, this was the first race of the season and we are talking about the difference between third and fourth place points. The benefit of getting away with the lies was minimal compared to the damage caused by getting caught. The decision by McLaren to do this shows a staggering lack of perspective.
McLaren needs to just race and stop all the shenanigans. It was easy to side with them on spy-gate, but lie-gate is just too much. The removal of Ron Dennis is the first step. Now the team needs to stop the questionable moves and just race.
Lewis Hamilton
Lie-gate forced Lewis Hamilton to pick between his public image and team harmony. We all know he picked his image. As a result, Dave Ryan was sacrificed and allegedly many on the team are not happy with Hamilton. Hamilton in turn is making not so subtle threats about leaving McLaren. It is like watching a fight between teenagers and it needs to be put to rest.
All drivers are prima donnas to one extent or another. Hamilton is clearly no different. What he needs to realize is he fall into a very good situation and he is not going to have it much better than driving for McLaren. Where exactly does he think he is going to go if he leaves McLaren? Brawn? Brawn has all the markings of being a one year wonder. Lewis needs to make amends with the mechanics and the team or face making one of the worst career decisions ever.
Heikki Kovalainen
Heikki is at McLaren for one reason – to let Lewis race without any pressure. That being said, Heikki is a horrible driver and needs to go. Ferrari has won the last group of constructor’s championships because Heikki doesn’t have the ability to take the best car in the field and place it high in the rankings. He is a disaster and McLaren needs to bring in someone that can consistently run in the middle of the points. Lewis Hamilton spun three complete times in the Chinese Grand Prix and lost a ton of time. Where did he finish? Right on the tail of Heikki. That’s how slow Heikki is. He needs to go if the team ever hopes to win a constructor’s title. You don’t have to bring in someone to threaten Lewis, just someone who is competent.
2010
McLaren fans are all abuzz about the teams “good result” in the Chinese Grand Prix. Ummm…time for a reality check. The team finished 5th and 6th in the rain where car advantages tend to be minimized. The car is a dog and McLaren needs to face up to the fact that 2010 is a lost cause. The team needs to focus on 2010 and lay low for 2009. Doing so will put an end to the problems with the FIA and set 2010 up for a double championship.
Lemmy