McLaren: Last assault for honor

Sebastian Vettel should be titled at Suzuka, the Championship leader needing only one point to secure his second consecutive coronation. Jenson Button is the only driver who still has a mathematical chance of being titled but McLaren no longer has any illusions about its chances of success. However, the British team is not abandoning the current season and is continuing to develop the car to compete with the RB7s until the last race of the year.

Martin Whitmarsh does not hide the fact that Jenson Button?s title hopes are in vain, but the taste for victory still drives the British team. “The trip to Suzuka reinforces the feeling that we are arriving at the last meetings of the year”, underlines the director of the British team. “Even if there remains a chance that Jenson will be titled, we can only aim for victory in the last events, even if the challenge of still being able to aim for the Championship remains interesting and exciting. »

McLaren's main motivation lies in the development capabilities of the car, something permitted by the future regulations similar to those in force this season. “We are continuing our development in the key areas of the MP4-26, and more particularly on the performances which will be useful to us for 2012”, specifies Martin Whitmarsh. “These developments will relate in particular to the front and rear wings, with any additional aerodynamic downforce being able to be integrated in 2012.”