The former F1 world champion has ambitions to complete motorsport’s triple crown but the decision is also revealing about his relationship with the teamSo Fernando Alonso is to miss the Monaco Grand Prix to compete in this year’s Indy 500. After McLaren’s shock at the start of this season, when discovering their Honda power unit was woefully underperforming for the third year in succession, the team have turned the tables with a surprise of their own that has rather knocked those travails into a cocked hat. Perhaps that was partly the point but it also informs as to where the team are now, about Alonso, his future and relationship with McLaren. Equally, whatever the motives, it is a decision for...
The Mercedes and Ferrari drivers continue their Formula One duel in China on Sunday and Hamilton is relishing the challenge of Vettel having a competitive carIn 2011, Lewis Hamilton took second place at the Korean Grand Prix in what was a remarkable drive in an underperforming McLaren. Sebastian Vettel was the winner but Hamilton, a second a lap slower than the two Red Bulls and suffering from understeer owing to debris stuck in the front wing, held off Mark Webber for 34 laps to secure the place.The McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, said: “I can’t speak more highly of the drive he did in those circumstances,” and it really was a striking achievement. Hamilton, much to everyone’s surprise, saw it...
The Spice Girls launched a new era for McLaren 20 years ago. In contrast next week’s event will be low key but hopefully it will herald a change in fortunesTwenty years ago this week McLaren celebrated a new look for their F1 car with positively decadent abandon. Five thousand guests were at Alexandra Palace to be entertained by the Spice Girls and Jamiroquai and to watch the unveiling of the MP4-12 and the new silver and black livery that would replace the red and white that had become synonymous with the team over the previous 22 years. Related: F1 to return to France in 2018 as McLaren say Fernando Alonso happy at team Continue reading...
McLaren took the plunge on the 21-year-old rookie driver in 2006 and the following year he hit the F1 track for the first time, piling up six poles and four grands prix wins only to miss the world title by a pointIt started 10 years ago this week, lest we forget – the start of one of the most astonishing Formula One careers ever witnessed.Lewis Hamilton made his F1 debut in 2007 but it was in November the previous year that it was announced he would drive for McLaren alongside Fernando Alonso. The decision was made by McLaren in late September 2006, the 23rd of the month to be precise. Related: Lewis Hamilton unsure if he can regain the momentum...