Whitmarsh: “Lewis, not far from Vettel”

If Red Bull once again dominated the competition in Australia, at McLaren, we remain convinced that the MP4-26 is capable of overcoming the RB7.

Published on 29/03/2011 à 12:59

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Red Bull struck a major blow, showing from the first Grand Prix that its RB7 was worthy of its world champion big sister. However, discreet during winter testing, the team McLaren was brilliant in Melbourne, hence a certain optimism on the British side.

“Maybe Lewis wasn't as fast as Sebastian (Hag) but he was not far from it, explains Autosport. com Team manager Martin Whitmarsh. I think the degradation of its tires was less significant than that of the Ferrari, Red Bull and most of the top teams. This is encouraging, and it could be even more decisive at Sepang, where the track is more aggressive on the tires. »

The fact remains that Vettel did not find any opponents of his caliber on the Albert Park circuit, and that he was eight tenths faster thanHamilton in qualifying.

“Seb (Vettel) did an incredible job, as did Adrian (Newey), he continues on the website of the British weekly. So we still have to work very hard. Ferrari was not on the pace, just like Mercedes. But they are two great teams, and we saw last year how Ferrari managed to come back? »

Discover in your AUTO magazinehebdo, on newsstands tomorrow, the complete analysis of the Australian GP and Sebastian Vettel's victory by our two special correspondents in Melbourne.