McLaren chief admits team failed Hamilton at Melbourne

Published on Monday 6 April 2009 23:08

McLAREN chief Martin Whitmarsh is convinced people will judge Lewis Hamilton to be "a great world champion" while recognising that "he is human".

Not even the torrential downpour that brought a premature halt to Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix managed to wash away the stain of the latest furore to tarnish McLaren.

The FIA will today receive a report from their observer and the stewards at the Australian Grand Prix into the storm that resulted in the suspension of McLaren's sporting director Dave Ryan and the besmirching of the name of reigning world champion Hamilton. The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) may be summoned to look into the web of deceit spun immediately after the Albert Park race.

The WMSC has it within its power to impose sanctions on McLaren should the reports recommend further measures. As for Hamilton, his disqualification from the race, and subsequent act of contrition in front of the world's media on Friday, would appear to suggest he is off the hook.

But there remains a question mark over the long-term damage to his reputation, with some critics drawing comparisons to Michael Schumacher and his occasional win-at-all-costs tactics.

"Lewis has openly and bravely admitted what he has done wrong, and he has apologised," remarked Whitmarsh.

Pointedly, bearing in mind seven-times champion Schumacher refused to say sorry for his misdemeanours, Whitmarsh added: "I think that is in contrast with some other things that have happened in F1, so I think there is a difference."

Whitmarsh feels it is easy for people to point accusing fingers and forget drivers make errors under extreme pressure and the unforgiving spotlight that can focus upon them.

"At the heart of this process is a group of committed, dedicated, hard-working individuals who are fallible, and have made some mistakes in the heat of the moment," assessed Whitmarsh. "They are damaging, but I think people understand that no-one is perfect."

He added: "I have been very fortunate to work with a lot of great, great drivers, and Lewis is very much one of those. People will ultimately judge him to be a great world champion, and hopefully a great multiple world champion, and they will recognise he is human."

Whilst Whitmarsh appreciates Hamilton is capable of acting independently rather than being led, he also knows McLaren failed the 24-year-old.

He added: "For our part we are trying to put our hand up and demonstrate our concern and humility over what happened.

"Lewis is still a young man, but he is a world champion and he has to be accountable and responsible for his actions.

"He is also an important ambassador to this sport, and I think the greatest shame is we at McLaren didn't lead him well enough to uphold the standards he intended to or wanted to."