McLaren’s managing director Jonathan Neale believes that by allowing his drivers to battle on-track, without the interruption of team-orders, means they’re always giving their very best.
Jenson Button was victorious on Sunday at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but it was his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, who looked to be in control as he led for the first half of the race.
The two drivers had to battle for the lead on a few occasions with neither giving up easily. Neale admitted it gives the team a few extra grey hairs, but it’s worth the spectacle.
“When you’ve two drivers who are side by side, swapping positions I think for all of us it’s ageing,” he said. “But there is no attempt by us to interfere. Martin [Whitmarsh] has made that clear in the past.”
Neale said he expects the two seasoned drivers to sort it out on track, rather than wait for the team to order one another to stay ahead or, to ‘maintain the gap’ as were the words used against Mark Webber in Silverstone.
“Lewis and Jenson are experienced drivers, and we run two number one drivers because it gets the best out of them.
“If we’re doing our job well as a team then they are going to come across each other on the circuit, and we expect them to sort it out.”
Whilst it hasn’t always gone to plan, Canada in particular, the two have, more often than not, managed to avoid contact, but Neale says the battles are great for the fans and sport, irrespective of the outcome.
“Letting them race is great for Formula One, and it’s great for sport as a whole,” he continued. “We’ve not changed, and that goes back 10 years plus. That was Ron [Dennis]’s way, and that is definitely Martin’s way.
“There is no doubt in my mind both of our drivers are at the top of their game and performing at the level they are at in part because of the pressure each is putting on the other, which is great.”
