McLaren seeking Hungary boost
McLaren have targeted improved reliability as they look to rescue Kimi Raikkonen’s world championship dream.
Raikkonen goes into this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix trailing championship leader Fernando Alonso by 36 points, despite possessing the fastest car on the grid for three months.
A mechanical problem in Germany last weekend robbed Raikkonen of a certain victory to add to the costly failures at Imola, France and Silverstone, leaving his title hopes hanging by a thread.
McLaren chief executive Martin Whitmarsh is refusing to throw in the towel on the drivers’ championship while the team’s constructors’ title hopes are better, with just 22 points separating them from Renault.
Whitmarsh said: “Despite the obvious disappointments in Germany, Kimi and Juan Pablo Montoya’s drive illustrated the pace of the cars and as a team we need to use this speed in Hungary to secure strong results and take a large points haul away from the grand prix.
“Going into the three-week break, everyone within the team remains motivated and we are looking forward to continuing our challenge for both championships at the inaugural Turkish Grand Prix on August 21.
“However we need to focus on improving our reliability in order to achieve the desired results.”
Mercedes engine boss Norbert Haug, whose units have were responsible for successive 10-place grid penalties, echoed those sentiments.
He said: “The speed is there as Kimi and Juan Pablo proved again at Hockenheim, and from now on we also want to be reliable enough to achieve the best possible results with both cars.”
Raikkonen cannot wait to get back on the track and attempt to erase painful memories of his Hockenheim retirement.
However, the Finn admits his early qualifying position is likely to hinder him at the dusty Hungaroring.
“I am looking forward to getting back behind the wheel this weekend and working with the team to take a good result,” he said.
“There are no real chances to overtake so qualifying is very important and unfortunately I will be going out first so will be affected by the dusty track, but the car is quick and I will push hard.
“I always enjoy Hungary as there is always a really good atmosphere because of all the Finns come down to the race. It is like a home grand prix for me, and I hope I can give the thousands of Finnish fans something to cheer about.”
