McLaren Expects Strong Finish in Monaco

Although McLaren Mercedes have walked out point-less from the Circuit de Catalonia this past weekend, team principal Martin Whitmarsh revealed the Woking based team are much more confident of a good result in the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix. The high-speed corners at Barcelona will then be replaced by the twisty, slow-corner circuit in Monte Carlo, a chapter where McLaren have always performed good.

While reigning champion Lewis Hamilton pushed his MP4-24 to the limit in order to squeeze a point finish at Montmelo – eventually finishing 9th overall – Heikki Kovalainen had to pay tribute to a gearbox failure and retired after only 7 laps.

Looking ahead, though, Whitmarsh believes Hamilton's great performances on the twisty and narrow streets of Monaco in the past, as well as car's behavior in slow corners will certainly bring McLaren a strong point finish two weekends from now.

“Monaco is going to be different, we are going to be strong, we have still got a lot of work as it is not going to be magic, but we are definitely going to be stronger there. We will keep pushing with this car to make it better,” said Whitmarsh after the Spanish Grand Prix, pointing out, however, that nothing should be taken for granted in Monte Carlo.

“You cannot predict because no one will stand still. I would love to have the Eureka moment but I think you have just got to grind away. We will be stronger in Monaco, that I am confident, that is a circuit that will suit us and we have got great drivers. Lewis is mega there, so we have to make sure we keep pushing and developing the car,” said the British team boss.

McLaren have been one of the few teams not to bring major updates to their MP4-24 in Spain, as the new aerodynamic package will presumably work better in Istanbul. While expected to debut some parts in Monaco, the British outfit is expected to heavily revise their 2009 challenger during the Turkish event, in early June.