Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

F1: Team McLaren plays down team director change rumours

|
Obtain the best financial rate for your car loan at Automobile En DirectTecnic
Khatir Soltani
From GMM

British Formula 1 team McLaren on Wednesday played down speculation there might be a change of leadership at the very top of the organisation.

After a difficult home grand prix at Silverstone, British media referred to a "crisis" at Woking based McLaren, triggering rumours Ron Dennis might return to the helm to replace current team principal Martin Whitmarsh (photo).

But the team's managing director Jonathan Neale on Wednesday told reporters that Whitmarsh has done "a fantastic job", not only in charge of McLaren but also the teams' alliance FOTA.

Referring to the speculation, he said during a teleconference: "I'm afraid it's just part of the media circus and expectation, caught in the home grand prix if you've got to deliver and we didn't, you've got to expect a bit of comeback.

"But we want Martin, Lewis and Jenson here for the long term," added Neale.

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada