McLaren hopes to achieve victory for its 300th with Mercedes

The pre-season tests had suggested that McLaren and Red Bull were the favorites for the 2012 season. While the constructors’ standings confirm this impression, the facts are harsher for McLaren. Between problems in the pits, penalties, and Jenson Button’s balance issues, no less than 62 points have been conceded to the title holders over the last three Grand Prix.

At Lewis Hamilton’s, confidence is still present despite the lack of success this season: « Even though everything hasn’t happened the way it should for us, I am confident that the team and I are doing everything possible to be in a good position for victory every weekend », explains the Stevenage native.

It must be said that his current lack of results is not entirely his fault, far from it, as he is undoubtedly the one who has suffered the most from his team’s blunders, especially during tire changes. The 2008 World Champion therefore feels that he is close to the desired result and is counting on his team to help him: I know that the results we want will soon arrive: I am doing everything I can to extract every tenth of a second from the car, and I know that the guys on the circuit and those in Woking are doing their utmost to give me a car worthy of victory. We are all greatly involved in this hunt for the World Championship.

Jenson Button, for his part, surely has more to blame himself for than his teammate, having experienced a halt at the threshold of Q3 during the last two qualifying sessions: « This weekend, it will be important to regain control of the car in qualifying. In the last two races, Q2 did not go in the right direction, so, regardless of the race pace, it compromises your Sunday afternoon, especially with the field packed as it is at the moment ».

The upcoming weekend is one of redemption, with the stage set at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, which is appreciated by drivers: « The layout is fantastic: it is super-fast in some places, requiring finesse and precision, but you can also find yourself wheel to wheel with others at 320 km/h, and it’s an incredible sensation », comments Hamilton. « However, you still want a car with enough low-speed traction: all these long straights are generally preceded by tight hairpins, so it’s very important to get the power down well to clock a good time ».

His eldest prefers to talk about the fervor surrounding the event in Montreal: « The city is filled with good vibes, people are friendly and extremely welcoming, and the fans are incredibly passionate. It’s the perfect place to race, and you can feel the excitement growing as soon as you step off the plane ». Martin Whitmarsh also has nothing but praise for the event: « I think everyone in F1 appreciates the Canadian Grand Prix: the city is an extraordinary host for the event, and the track is fast, challenging, and unforgiving. Add often uncertain Quebec weather, and you have the winning combination for an unpredictable weekend ».

Obviously, the past results of his protégés also explain such enthusiasm: « Of course, we were the biggest beneficiaries of this mix last year, and no one at McLaren can think of Montreal without recalling Jenson’s magnificent victory last year ».

The Englishman had indeed won after an interminable wait following a long red flag period after a violent downpour: My victory here last year was one of those rare occasions where everything goes as it should: it’s still hard to believe that I was last after the halfway mark and yet managed to snatch victory on the last lap. The memories of that victory will always remain. Montreal is, in any case, always a race I look forward to.

And Whitmarsh reminds us that the driver of his second car is not to be overlooked: « Let’s not forget that Lewis also has very fond memories of this circuit: he won his first Grand Prix there in 2007, secured pole position three times, and dominated the 2010 edition. Canada has been a prolific hunting ground for the team in recent years, and we are determined to make the ongoing series a hat-trick this weekend ».

Lewis Hamilton is moreover convinced that his MP4-27 will perform well in Montreal: « On paper, I think our car will suit [the track]: we showed in Spain that we were very good in high-speed corners, but we were also fast in the last sector, which is slower and more technical. Of course, it’s always difficult to predict what will happen, so I will make it a point to have an incident-free weekend, scoring big points in the championship ».

The stakes are even higher as this weekend marks the 300th Grand Prix – for a 301st race weekend, the infamous “Indianapolis event” in 2005 having occurred – of three partnerships that began in 1995: Mercedes for the engine, Mobil 1 for fuels and lubricants, and Enkei for the wheels. During this time together, we have accomplished a lot: three Driver Championships, one Constructors’ Championship, 72 victories, 70 pole positions, 81 fastest laps, and 2525 points. Let’s hope we can add to that in Montreal this weekend, concludes Whitmarsh.