F1 Valencia - Preview (VMM)

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Woking, United Kingdom, Jun 18, 2010

The team really is functioning as a single unit, so I think we head into Valencia next weekend hopeful of being able to once again capitalise on that determination and ambition.


Jenson Button

�As a team, we�ve taken maximum points in the last two races and it feels like we�ve really gathered considerable momentum. The team really is functioning as a single unit, so I think we head into Valencia next weekend hopeful of being able to once again capitalise on that determination and ambition.

�Even though it�s a street circuit, it�s got quite a different feel to other street tracks like Monte-Carlo or Singapore. For a start, it�s quite a bit faster � there are some low-speed corners with some fairly unforgiving walls at the apex, but there are also some high-speed changes of direction and some long straights, so it�s quite an interesting place set-up-wise. It�s not as if you completely rely on downforce, there�s a trade-off, and that should suit our package.

�Valencia is also the final race before two important stop-offs in the UK: our home race at Silverstone and, before that, the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Both are events where the British fans will be out in force. And, as world champion, I�m looking forward to both events. Silverstone will be an incredible experience, and I get to achieve a childhood dream of driving one of Alain Prost�s classic McLarens, the MP4/2C, at Goodwood. Sometimes, I can�t believe how lucky I am.�

Lewis Hamilton

�I�m really looking forward to racing in Valencia. I had a great, attacking race there last year � but I�ve finished second for the past two seasons, so I feel like I have some unfinished business!

�I also think it�s good for the championship to have a variety of circuits � we�ve just come from a fast, flowing road course in Canada, to a tight street track in Valencia. And, next month, we�ll be at Silverstone � one of the fastest tracks of the year, and a circuit with incredible history. As a driver, that sort of variety makes the racing exciting and unpredictable, which is all you can really ask for.�

�The last few grands prix have had some fantastic racing � it would be great for all the Spanish fans if we can have a great race here too. It�s not a circuit where we�ve seen too much passing in the past, but I think this year could be different � the grid is so tight, there were battles all through the field in Montreal last week, so I think we could have a close and exciting race this year.�

Martin Whitmarsh - Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes

�After two consecutive one-twos, it certainly felt like Bruce McLaren himself was looking down on us and smiling, particularly after we recently commemorated the 40th anniversary of his death.

�I�m sure Bruce would also have appreciated the relentless and dedicated approach we have taken to the engineering and development of MP4-25 � I think we�ve shown in the past two races that we lack nothing in terms of hunger and motivation. And with our car being constantly developed, I believe we can continue to be a threat at the majority of remaining races on the calendar.

�Of course, we�re no strangers to relentless development � it�s one of the team�s greatest strengths � and we�re absolutely committed to maximising every last component in the search for performance. Nothing is too small to be overlooked, and it�s that holistic approach that really brings rewards, allowing us to eke out performance in every single area of the car.

�It�s also an approach we�re increasingly focusing on with the team, too: we�re looking at pitstops, engineering, strategy � and we�re seeing practical and material benefits in those areas, too.�

Copyright � 2010, car-evolutioncars. All rights reserved.