Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have praised McLaren’s development pace as the team have managed to close the gap on the lead team, Red Bull.
McLaren showed their strength when it comes to development in 2009 when they were scrapping with the back-markers in the Australian GP, whilst Button romped to victory in a dominant Brawn car.
A deficit of over two and half seconds was clawed back by the half-way mark in the season, allowing Hamilton to win two races; Hungary and Singapore.
Now in a similar position, albeit not quite as far off the pace, McLaren have showed what they can do, which has given the whole team sense of satisfaction according the Hamilton.
“I can’t keep the smile off my face – we are absolutely on it!
“Last year, you saw what we could do when we came from behind – we started the season at the back of the grid, but we were back at the front halfway through the year, and were still able to win two races.
“This team is just an incredible development machine – it never stops. We live and breathe racing, and we are just churning out new parts, working harder than I’ve ever seen the team work to try and help us win these world championships.
“I think it’s something that has really surprised Jenson – but in a good way; just the intensity and determination with which we push forward,” added Lewis.
Button meanwhile has, as Hamilton said, been surprised and overwhelmed by the teams rate of development.
“I’ve been in teams before where we’ve perhaps started the season strongly, or we’ve had a bit of a performance improvement towards the end of the season, but I’m really overwhelmed by how much this team can just keep developing.
“The feeling of contributing is incredible, and very rewarding. And you just can’t believe how hungry this team is: when I joined back in January, I was really struck by just how much we were pushing ahead of the launch, then during testing.
“But we’re now into an incredibly tough series of races, and we’re still bringing these huge new development parts to the track, and we’re bringing enough parts for both Lewis and myself – it’s awesome. It makes you realise why Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is so strong – there’s just no let-up. I’ve never known a team be so hungry to go racing. And, like I say, it’s just great to be part of.”
