Most of the 'big' updates Mclaren bring to race weekends seem to disrupt the balence of the car. I've notcied the complaints since the end of the 2008 season. However after a long winded approach, they get the very best out of them. This may have been highlighted at the final race of the season in 2010 with the rear wing they took a few races to perfect. If Mclaren want to challenge Red Bull more often, the updates need to work there and then so they can move on and develop over parts of the car. Thoughts ?
I've noticed McLaren do a lot of talking about "big updates", only for them not to work properly. I think the testing ban is mainly responsible for the lack of success with updates, but Whitmarsh also has a habit of being too optimistic, and leading fans into believing that McLaren are to make significant progress.
Theres also the issue of failed updates sticking in our memories more than the ones that quietly worked, that goes for all teams. As for updates working straight away, thats going to be their initial goal, but without testing they can't really guarantee it sadly.
Thoughts? My thoughts are that McLaren is the biggest perennial challenger to the over-funded Ferrari outfit which holds special veto powers over the other teams and benefits from a greater share of the prize money; in other words, they traditionally find favour with the FIA and the management structure of Formula 1 (since Ferrari is perceived by them as a fundamental part of Grand Prix racing). I believe McLaren's corporate approach to tackling this Goliath (not just Ferrari but the supporting structure which keeps them there) is consistently too slow to react and will tend to follow rather than lead, until they can demonstrate more ability to think on their feet. - Remember that since McLaren are traditionally seen as Ferrari's biggest threat, they tend to get the short straw wherever this can be stage managed by those who see McLaren as the thorn in their foot. Some lateral thinking is needed; after all, that's what Adrian Newey is so good at. Rather than going to a bank to draw the money to buy a car to go to town, they should sometimes consider finding just enough change for the bus fare… Put simply: McLaren's thinking needs to become more flexible. At the moment, it is too stodgy; too consultative, too 'politically correct' for their own good.
I think Hamilton is voicing frustration because each year we see a late McLaren, with a series of updates often confused, meaning its catchup for ever. Why? Internal weakness in design leaving mixed opinions on direction? Concentration on road-car? Meddling and politics? Not good.....
They do make a habit of putting dodgy updates on the car, as do Mercedes. Red Bull and Renault are the two best developers for me. They seem to be able to throw a lot of performance at the car and get them working straight away. KERS being the only exception for Red Bull.
