Whitmarsh: “The Hungarian GP, ​​a highlight”

Looking back, what are your best and worst memories of 2009 today?
My best memory is the Hungarian GP where we scored our first victory of the season, my first as Team Principal. It was a strong moment, the justification of all the efforts made over months to return to the summit. I was overcome by emotion like never before. The worst was probably our last week of testing in Barcelona during the off-season, when we realized we were 2 slower than our opponents. It was a very lonely moment, believe me!

What did you learn about McLaren or on the F1 in general that you didn't already know, during this difficult season?
Nothing, except that my convictions have been further strengthened about the quality and commitment of the McLaren staff. A lot of things happened during this year: a controversial start to the season, an uncompetitive car after two very solid years and, despite everything, people put their heads to the wheel, rolled up their sleeves and worked effectively despite strong pressure to finally return to the forefront. I am personally very proud of this collective reaction which shows that McLaren is first and foremost a family united by the same passion: that of their team.

Et Lewis Hamilton, did he learn anything?
Lots of things! The start of the season was terribly tough for him. If you look at his incredible journey through the karting, the ?junior? formulas and his first two seasons of F1, he always arrived on a circuit with the equipment that would allow him to aim for victory. It is unique in the annals of motorsport and it certainly did not prepare him for the season he experienced in 2009. For the first time in his career, he arrived at the Grands Prix with the certainty that ?he wasn?t going to be able to win. For him, it was a shock.

Find the full interview with Martin Whitmarsh as well as an investigation into the Hamilton-Button duo in AUTOhebdo number 1731 available on newsstands.