Lewis Hamilton will fight back, says McLaren team boss
By Lawrence Barretto
BBC Sport
European Grand Prix
Venue: Valencia Street Circuit, Valencia Date: 24, 25 & 26 June Coverage: Friday: First practice 0855-1035, BBC Red Button, Radio 5 live sports extra, online. Second practice 1255-1435 BBC Red Button, Radio 5 live sports extra, online. Saturday: Third practice 0955-1105 Red Button, Radio 5 live sports extra, online. Qualifying 1210-1415 BBC One, 5 live, online. Sunday - race coverage 1200-1535 BBC One, 5 live, online. F1 forum 1530-1630 Red Button & online. Highlights 1900-2000 BBC Three
Whitmarsh believes Hamilton will come back stronger this weekend in Valencia
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says Lewis Hamilton is determined to come back stronger in Sunday's European Grand Prix after two inadequate races.
Hamilton, 26, was involved in four separate incidents in Monaco and Canada and picked up just eight points.
But Whitmarsh said: "Lewis can win this weekend and I'm sure that's what he's determined to do.
"The last two races haven't gone the way he or the team would have liked but I don't think he's lost any form."
The 2008 world champion collided with Ferrari's Felipe Massa in Monaco before clashing with Williams driver Pastor Maldonado on his way to sixth place.
Two weeks later in Canada, the McLaren driver tipped Red Bull's Mark Webber into a spin on the first lap and was then forced into retirement after colliding with team-mate Jenson Button on the start-finish straight.
"I think that Lewis has had a couple of tough races but that's what happens in motor racing," added Whitmarsh ahead of this weekend's race in Valencia.
"He doesn't like not winning so he didn't particularly enjoy the last two race weekends.
"Lewis is a passionate, aggressive driver who is one of the most exciting in the world to watch and I don't think he's going to change his approach.
"He's certainly fired up and he looked in great shape when I saw him two nights' ago. He's very enthusiastic to have a great result this weekend."
The team's future driver line-up has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with Hamilton linked to a move to Red Bull, while BBC Sport understands that Button is poised to sign a new McLaren contract for next season.
Commenting on the speculation, Whitmarsh said: "We're very fortunate to have two different drivers. They're great in the team and great with one another.
"We'll talk about the future when the time comes. At the moment, we're not planning on having a different driver line up."
Hamilton and Button collide in Canada
When pushed on Hamilton's link with Red Bull, Whitmarsh added: "Ultimately Lewis will decide where he's going, but I think he enjoys being in this team."
Looking ahead to this weekend, Whitmarsh was hopeful McLaren can close the gap to Red Bull in qualifying after governing body the FIA announced new regulations which prevent teams from changing their engine maps between qualifying and race.
Red Bull have dominated Saturday's one-hour grid-defining session this season, with either Sebastian Vettel or Mark Webber locking out pole position at every race this season.
In the race, though, McLaren have been much closer, picking up two wins to Red Bull's five.
"In the last three races, we've had the quickest race car but we haven't had the quickest qualifying car," Whitmarsh said.
"There are some changes this weekend in that the FIA will enforce a strict parc ferme regulation which will mean that the car which qualifies will be the car that races.
"Based on that we should be hopeful, but I think we've got to assume that everyone's been working hard.
"We have a few components that we're going to bring to the race and we'll do our best to win in Valencia."
Credit: BBC (www.bbc.co.uk)
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