McLaren

For the past few years McLaren have dominated Formula 1 racing, but this is now all starting to change and when you were the best there is only one way to go and that is down. For a Formula 1 team to be successful it needs more than just great drivers and great cars, it needs that extra spark, that drive and enthusiasm to make them better than all of the rest. In my opinion this is what McLaren have lost. They have got so used to winning races that having a podium finish does not excite them anymore. The pairing of David Coulthard and Mika Hakkinen is the longest driver partnership that there ... more

Every year, Formula 1 teams try to go one bigger and one better than their rivals and certainly better than the year before. This is not restricted to their track performance. They also do it at their launch parties. This year however, the parties were somewhat subdued by normal standards. Here are what each team did. Arrows. ------- March 2001. Melbourne, Australia. Left it very late this year after crash test problems and a rush to get the cars finished. No big launch party. Just a roll out for the cameras and a pose from the drivers in March 2001 at the Albert Park Circuit 2 days before the ... more

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has always offered the majority of his support for Mika Hakkinen a.k.a The Flying Fin, but in this season (2001) Mika hasn't been performing to his usual standard. But it isn't just the 2 time World Champion's fault, the McLaren car has failed him several times, including one unfortunate break-down on the last lap of a race in which Mika Hakkinen seemed sure to win. This season (2001) seems to be in favour of Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher although the other McLaren driver David Coulthard (of Scottish nationality, yay!) isn' far behind him. McLaren were known to have ... more

McLaren the British-based Formula I team are one of the most successful motor racing teams in history. Formed in the late 1960's this team has won numerous grand prixs and are currently with Ferrari the best tean in Formula I racing. They are a well funded team and have arguably the best driver pairings of any team. Mika Hakkinen has won the world championship twice and David Couthard is undeniably a potential world champion. Currently he is second in the championship behind Michael Schumacher,who many afficinados regard as currently the greatest driver in Formula I. There are few niggling ... more

While I am first and foremost a Ferrari fan, you have to tip your hat to the performance that Mclaren have produced over the past few seasons. While Hakkinen and Coulthard are quality drivers, they have the huge advantage of knowing that they start every weekend with the best machinery under them. While Ferrari tweak their car, Jordan are brilliant one week, awful the next, and the chasing pack seek to just try and get close, Mclaren are always there or ther abouts. The job that Ron Dennis has done over the years proves his ability, even if he is the most consistently grumpy man on the scene ... more