McLaren can't do it

Throughout the paddock, the Spanish Grand Prix is ​​one of renewal. With 13 points pocketed in four races, Mc Laren is at the head of the challengers eager to return to their former levels. Lewis Hamilton was even optimistic at the start of this Catalan weekend. “ The team has done an excellent job and the progress is visible. But we still have to work, because we are starting from afar. And all the teams will have taken a step forward this weekend. So I think that the hierarchy at the start of the season will not be upset. » An accurate judgment, since at the end of the qualifying session, we find the Brawn in front? and the McLarens lagging behind.

At the end of this session, the world champion can only note the gap that the leading teams have widened on the team of Woking. " We did the best we could today. My lap wasn?t fast enough, but the car wasn?t fantastic. I didn't have enough grip to go faster. » An observation of helplessness which does not prevent Hamilton from hoping for a better destiny during the race. “ We will try to grab a few places to get into the points. We will learn from this weekend and do better in the future. »

Heikki Kovalainen has reason to be more disappointed. With the 18th time, he will start at the back of the grid. “ However, this is the first time this year that I have not reached Q2. » And the Finn confirmed his leader's words, adding that he was not able to do the fast lap he was hoping for. “ I had trouble finding grip. And then, Nick (Heidfeld, editor's note) bothered me a little, even if he shouldn't have wasted too much time. It's a difficult weekend. » With such results, it will be difficult for Martin Whitmarsh's drivers to perform well in the race. However, without spectacular times on Saturday, the two men showed that they could fight to get into the points. Fights that they will have to get used to in 2009.