Canadian Grand Prix - Montreal

[Carl]

I have never had an "energy drink", although certain drinks have energized bad judgment and morning headaches.

[chrisb]

I confess to have tried one of these things once, and nearly threw up as a consequence, you know these things are - how can i say? - oh, I can't but there again, when clients who previously used an illegal stimulant now use the 'less expensive' versions of the above instead and prefer it, it does make you worry - just a bit.

[René]

Back on the McLaren/Martin Whitmarsh topic, this article was on GrandPrix.com:

Whitmarsh offers to step up amid McLaren crisis

Former team boss Martin Whitmarsh has offered to step in amid a reported staff revolt at McLaren.

The Daily Mail reports that some McLaren staff, upset about the great British team's current troubles even after the end of the Honda era, have put together a delegation that is reaching out to Whitmarsh.

Whitmarsh stepped down as McLaren team boss in 2014, after 25 years with the Woking outfit.

"People at McLaren said they would send me a letter about the situation. I told them not to send it to me, but to (team shareholder) Mansour (Ojjeh)," Whitmarsh confirmed.

It is believed the disgruntled staff are upset about Eric Boullier's leadership following the latest performance slump, and Zak Brown's forays into the worlds of Le Mans and Indycar.

"I love the team and I am desperately sad to see what it has become," Whitmarsh continued.

"It needs a big change of approach. There is too much politics between the main figures. I think a number of them have to go.

"I have explained my view to Mansour and it is for the shareholders to decide what to do."

Whitmarsh suggested he is siding with those staff who think that Brown in particular is spreading McLaren's interests too far beyond the F1 paddock.

"The team used to be all about winning in formula one," he said. "McLaren going in (another) direction, rather than making grand prix racing their sole priority, makes me shudder."

Whitmarsh said it was the departure of Tim Goss that pushed him "over the edge" in support of a revolt.

"He was scapegoated," he said.

"If a delegation showed up at my door, I wouldn't turn them away," Whitmarsh added. "They know where I am."

(GMM)

[Deleted]

Telling development, which I was completely unaware of. I couldn't have been the only one to see they are destroying McLaren as we have always known it. Losing a privileged partnership with Honda, nonsensical talk of IndyCar team. I live in Woking and they are the biggest employer in town. Whitmarsh is a sensible man, he can try to channel issues to Ojjeh, but ultimately it's the shareholders who has to see sense. One thing is to get rid of Dennis, but their replacement plan has been dire. They succeeded to remove Whitmarsh, thanks to Dennis, then turned to an American and a French to run the company and F1 team. It will be either their heads or the company, as it stands.

[chrisb]

the thing is - something needs doing if McLaren rises again, Messrs Brown and Boulier have not succeeded and seeing McLaren as 'humble engine customers' as opposed to partners is not where this organisation needs to be, but wether or not Monsiour O and the shareholders have the determination to make this change I will wait and see,

Martin always struck me as someone who combined brains, decency and toughness - a rare combination that was supported by his coming across as a good bloke, who saw bigger pictures, I don't know if he needed a Ron behind him or not but it would be good for McLaren if we found out

[Deleted]

In a related piece of news today, it has been confirmed Red Bull will switch to Honda next year.

Who's got more F1 nous - Zak/Bouiller or Horner/Marko?


PS: wait and see, obviously.

PPS: they are paid handsomely by Honda too. Not that much "obviously" (see previous PS), after all.

[mikael]

> In a related piece of news today, it has been confirmed Red Bull will switch to Honda next year.

But almost simultaneously rumours have appeared that Adrian Newey may possibly be leaving Red Bull for the Renault works team.
As if Renault are saying, "Now ...take that!"

Reference:  www.grandprix.com/news/newey-not-denying-renault-switch-rumours.html

It could be just hearsay ...? The wording of that short news-flash is not very precise.

But if true - and realized - it would be quite a blow.

[Deleted]

not denying

That sounds like a done deal to me.

[René]

Jun 19, 2018 12:56:17 GMT @lucio said:

not denying

That sounds like a done deal to me.

Yes, most definitevely a case of where there's smoke there's fire. I can see Adrian making the move after all those Red Bull years. The challenge of moving Renault up the grid must at least be a bit interesting to him. And what a coup this would be for The Régie!

[Deleted]

Jun 19, 2018 4:39:14 GMT chrisb said:

Martin always struck me as someone who combined brains, decency and toughness - a rare combination that was supported by his coming across as a good bloke, who saw bigger pictures, I don't know if he needed a Ron behind him or not but it would be good for McLaren if we found out

Martin Whitmarsh reported to Jonathan Neale, the managing director. Dennis had to step back because of the fallout of the Coughlan's scandal that cost McLaren $100m, not by his choice, and always tried to undermine Whitmarsh.

[Deleted]

For the record, Whitmarsh always struck me as a thoroughly decent and likeable guy, capable and with his ego in check, which is something not always found in F1. He built a very good relationship with Domenicali (another one of the good guys) in relation to constructors' interests and views on the sport and its technical regulations, when McLaren still had weight in the power balance (now replaced by Mercedes, in that respect). I did question Whitmarsh choice of Perez as McLaren driver at the time, I don't recall if it was himself who then dropped Checo one year later or it was Dennis when he finally ousted Whitmarsh. In any case a legitimate decision, to hire Perez at that stage. BTW, I actually know where he lives, in Chobham, just outside Woking.