F1 Team Profile: Mclaren

There is a big question mark over McLaren, whose car came out of the box with some problems and was not on the pace. "I do not understand why they took the approach they did with designers - alternating between two guys year to year in terms of the lead on each car. No other competitive winning team does that.
"However closely they work, I don't see how you can maintain continuity with that approach. And it's interesting to see that McLaren have now changed their structure and will not do it from now on.
"For me, it's no surprise that it took a while to sort last year's car out, and it is no secret that the drivers are unhappy with this year's car.
"Coupled to that, McLaren - and Ferrari - historically have been the teams who spent more money and more time on testing and they made an average car great.
"The problem is, an average car now stays an average car. And I think McLaren need to up their game quickly.
"Tempers will flare this year if the car does not move on a bit."

MEET THE BOSS - MARTIN WHITMARSH

What is F1's biggest challenge?
The teams working together, surviving, growing the sport and presenting an interesting and exciting spectacle for the fans.
Does F1 need road-car manufacturers?

MCLAREN FACTS AND STATS Nationality: British Headquarters: Woking (UK) Debut season: 1966 Drivers: Lewis Hamilton Jenson Button Test/reserve driver: Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) and Gary Paffett (GB) Team principal: Martin Whitmarsh Technical director: Paddy Lowe Engine: Mercedes-Benz V8 2010 position: 2nd Constructors' titles: 8

It does not need road-car manufacturers. However, all the road-car manufacturers have made a significant contribution to the sport, and we should be absolutely grateful for that. What Formula 1 needs is an interesting sporting spectacle, to be financially viable and have some good professional teams that want to participate in it and want to create that show.
"It can do that with or without the manufacturers, but certainly we should thank the automotive manufacturers who made a contribution in the past, and we should welcome them in the future."
The best piece of advice I have ever given a driver is...
... come and drive for McLaren!
The best piece of advice I have ever received is...
... think a bit longer before making that decision.
What kind of team boss are you - hairdryer treatment or arm around the shoulder?
"Neither. I hope I'm a balanced individual who is part of the team, who wants to support drivers if they are trying hard. Mistakes will be made by drivers - that's part of motor racing. Mistakes will be made by the team. Provided everyone is working hard together as a team, we avoid the blame when things do not work out.
Are you a wheeler dealer or a techie?
Again, I hope that I'm neither. I hope that I am a balanced leader of this team but I guess by history I was more of a techie than a wheeler dealer.
What was your first paid job?
A paper round when I was 14.
What time do you set your alarm clock for?
Sadly, I don't. I wake up without one from any time around 6 o'clock. I don't need an alarm.
Can you explain your team's philosophy in three words?
McLaren exists to win: we win by being the most technologically advanced and by having the best team spirit within our organisation.
What is special about McLaren?
The people within the organisation are ultimately what makes it special.
The ethos of the company and its heritage are important, but it is the high-quality people working in a professional, dedicated way striving to meet the objectives of the organisation that makes it what it is.
Why should people support McLaren?
People should, we hope, take an interest in F1 and thereafter in determining the team they wish to support. They should look for one that they feel has the values and approach and excitement that they empathise with.
What is the most difficult thing about being a team boss?
The most difficult thing about being a team boss in F1 is the pressure and the desire to win. There are 10, we hope, teams at the first race which have good budgets, good organisations and which are extremely difficult to beat. So inevitably winning has never been more difficult than it is now in F1.
Are you worried about the future of F1?
F1 has evolved and changed many times over the years. It faces particular challenges, as does every other business or enterprise in the world at the moment.
But the underlying offering of the best drivers in the world, in the most advanced cars, racing each other is a solid proposition and, I'm sure, while it may change in form in response to outside pressures, it will be sustained as a sport.

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F1 Team Profile: Red Bull Racing

Red Bull are the world champions and the team to beat. They are a class act and it is very difficult to see who's going to beat them.

"What makes them strong is continuity of drivers, engine supplier and particularly designer, as well as the identity of that designer - Adrian Newey, around whom the team have been structured.
"They will be a lot stronger for having won the championships. Little gremlins, such as they had last year with reliability, will have been ironed out and the car is an evolution of last year's.
"They have got all the aspects that are crucial for a winning team and I think they have sorted out the little in-house battles between the drivers.

"Ground rules were set last year. Now, Mark Webber knows where he is coming from, so I suspect that there will be less tension on that front than in 2010. "

MEET THE BOSS - CHRISTIAN HORNER

What is F1's biggest challenge?
To continue to reduce costs, whilst not detracting from the show.
Does F1 need road-car manufacturers?
F1 needs a balanced combination of independent teams and road-car manufacturers. However, it is vital that regulations prevent costs from spiralling out of control.

RED BULL FACTS AND STATS Nationality: Austrian Headquarters: Milton Keynes (UK) Debut season: 2005 Drivers: Sebastian Vettel Mark Webber Test drivers: Daniel Ricciardo Team owner: Dietrich Mateschitz Team principal: Christian Horner Chief technical officer: Adrian Newey Engine: Renault V8 2010 position: 1st Constructors' titles: 1

Complete the following sentences:
The best piece of advice I've ever given a driver is…
Don't crash, as we don't have any spares.
The best piece of advice I've received is…
Don't play backgammon with Bernie.
What kind of team boss are you: Hairdryer treatment or arm around the shoulder?
Arm around the shoulder - when required.
Wheeler-dealer or techie?
Erm... neither.
What was your first paid job?
Washing cars at the age of 10.
What time do you set your alarm clock for?
I don't have one.

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F1 Team Profile: Renault

I am critical of the management of Renault - I can't get my head around how Robert Kubica, their number one driver and the key to their championship this year and their future was allowed to drive in a rally in a car of an opposition company. I don't see how that can be allowed to happen. "In one sense, you can't restrain drivers - some want to go skiing, some want to go motorbike riding, some want to go rallying. So he was unlucky.
"But the team were shaped around Kubica.
"Was Nick Heidfeld the right choice to stand in for him? Well, it could only have been him or Nico Hulkenberg, but personally if you're looking at the future and you don't know whether Kubica is going to be back or not, in the immediate future Hulkeknberg is probably the better choice.
"But Heidfeld is a good driver and a great friend of Jordan, and he is still only 33, despite having been around since 2000."

MEET THE BOSS - ERIC BOULLIER

Can you explain your team's philosophy in three words?
Integrity, passion, determination.
What is special about Renault?
I was born in the early 1970s and, as far back as I remember, the Renault name has been linked to motor racing. For all the F1 fans in France and around the world, this name is something special.
Also, I started my career as an engine engineer and in this era the team was a true legend. They pioneered turbocharged engines in F1, then retained the V10 architecture as the best possible in the 1990s.
Now, Renault F1 have won championships and many races. They know what it takes to be a winning team.
All team members are very dedicated and give their best every day. As Renault F1 is entering a new era, the whole team is ready for a new challenge. I'm proud to be part of it.
What is the most difficult thing about being a team boss?
Nothing is too challenging or difficult if you are surrounded by a great team! More seriously, the most difficult task is maybe to give everybody the time they deserve. The human side of the job is very important. I think it's the key to success.
What kind of team boss are you - hairdryer treatment or arm around the shoulder?
Arm around shoulder, tough when needed, but always fair.

RENAULT FACTS AND STATS Nationality: French Headquarters: Enstone (UK) and Paris (France) Debut season: 1977 Drivers: Nick Heidfeld Vitaly Petrov Test/reserve drivers: Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean Team principal: Eric Boullier Technical director: James Allison Engine: Renault V8 2010 position: 5th Constructors' titles: 2

What is F1's biggest challenge?
The main challenge is to keep and nurture the fans, and continually improve the show. Without them we are nothing.
For 2010, we have a fantastic grid, new teams and rules to improve the show, so we look forward to the start of the season.
There's also a fantastic challenge for F1 in the years to come - the technologies we'll use in the near future absolutely need to take the environment parameter into account. The FIA are working hard on it, and I give them all my support.
Does F1 need road-car manufacturers?
Definitely. Road-car manufacturers have been involved in the sport throughout its history; Renault have been in the sport for over 30 years and our 2010 car's striking black-and-yellow colours demonstrate Renault's commitment to F1.
The sport just wouldn't be the same without manufacturers. Road-car manufacturers are what connects fans with the sport in their everyday life.
The best piece of advice you've ever given a driver is...
Bring back the car on three wheels if you need to, but I want to start from pole!
The best piece of advice I have ever received is...
Always be fair to people you work with. Those you deal with on your way to the top, you may find again if you're falling down one day.
What was you first paid job?
Engine engineer.
What time do you set your alarm clock for?
6.30am.

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F1 Team Profile: Mercedes GP

Mercedes GP Petronas Formula One Team (or Mercedes GP for short) is the F1 racing team of the car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz. They began racing under this name in 2010 although Mercedes-Benz did debut in Formula One back in 1954. This team however is the reincarnation of Brawn GP; which was the team ran and owned by Ross Brawn, who is Team Principal of the new team, after is was bought by Mercedes at the end of the 2009 season when it won both the Constructors Championship and the Drivers Championship (Jenson Button).

BBC PUNDIT EDDIE JORDAN'S VIEW

"By the team's own admission, the strain and pressure of winning both championships last year as Brawn has had a huge knock-on effect on their 2010 title challenge.

"That always happens unless you are a team with a huge depth of resources and technical nous.

"I would never back against Mercedes winning a race in the second half of the season as Ross Brawn is a clever man, he has good people in the team and Mercedes deliver a great engine.

"The balance between drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg continues to pique interest.

"I always stated it was a mistake for Schumacher to come back and my opinion has not changed.

"Rosberg is still providing Schumacher with stiff competition but I don't think the legacy of the great champion is being damaged."

MEET THE BOSS - ROSS BRAWN

What is F1's biggest challenge?

F1's biggest challenge is to stay relevant for all of our stakeholders, our fans and the media. We have to ensure that the sport is shaped for the future by making it highly entertaining, economically viable for the manufacturers and teams, and with as much relevance as possible for our society on a wider scale.

Does F1 need road-car manufacturers?

I believe it does. Manufacturers of the calibre of Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari have been the core of F1 for many years and along with the other manufacturers who are currently involved or have been involved in the past, they add to the strength of F1 and are a great asset to the sport.

MERCEDES GP FACTS AND STATS Nationality: German Headquarters: Brackley (UK) Debut season: 2010 (last raced in 1954/55) Drivers: Michael Schumacher Nico Rosberg Test/reserve driver: Nick Heidfeld Team principal: Ross Brawn Chief designer: John Owen Engine: Mercedes-Benz V8 2009 position: 1st (as Brawn) Constructors' titles: 1 (as Brawn)

Will having more teams on the grid make F1 more competitive?

More teams will make F1 more interesting but not necessarily more competitive. My view is that the main battle will still be between three or four teams with the others nibbling round the edges.

But I think it's very exciting to see so many new teams this year and to see how they will progress over the season. It's a fantastic element of F1 because there's not just racing at the front, there's racing all the way through the field, and that provides added interest for the fans.

Will non-refuelling change Formula 1 for the better or worse?

The refuelling ban is going to be a fascinating new challenge this season and until the racing actually gets underway, none of us really knows if it will be for better or worse.

The emphasis on pit stops will be quite different and present a big challenge for the teams with just three or four seconds to make the tyre changes which increases the potential for errors.

One advantage is that we will get to see the fastest car in qualifying and while that does put the fastest car at the front of the grid, it adds pressure to the pole driver to have a perfect race.

The best piece of advice I've ever given a driver is…

... go fast, don't crash! It's the best way to get across the finish line.

The best piece of advice I've received is…

... treat others as you want to be treated yourself. That's what my father always told me.

What kind of team boss are you - hairdryer treatment or arm around the shoulder?

Arm around the shoulder.

Wheeler-dealer or techie?

Both! I'm a wheeler-dealer techie. You have to be both when you are in a senior position in an F1 team. You have to find compromises and concessions.

What was your first paid job?

I was a labourer on a building site during my summer holidays at school.

What time do you set your alarm clock for?

6.15am when I'm at home.

How do you think Ross Brawn and Mercedes will do this championship season? Please feel free to share your views and predictions below, just hit the comment button!

More F1 Team profiles are available in the 'Team Profiles' section found in the categories section on the right, Thanks for reading!

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F1 Team Profile: Ferrari

Ferrari look good. They could be for me the only real challenge to Red Bull - particularly Fernando Alonso, as you would expect. "He is the leader of the team, and now the rules have changed to allow team orders I expect that to become more formalised this year.
"Felipe Massa is good and he will try to prove himself against Alonso this year, but it's going to be very hard, not least because of the environment.
"It's like a family. When things go wrong, it's almost better to leave and start again and if things don't work out for him that's what he needs to do.
"My guess is he knows the writing is on the wall, that it's back to the old Michael Schumacher era, with everything geared towards Alonso.
"That aside, I think Ferrari will be very strong. They look like being best of the rest behind Red Bull."

MEET THE BOSS - STEFANO DOMENICALI

Can you explain your team's philosophy in three words?
Five: Racing is in our DNA.
Why do Ferrari race?
Because, as I said, racing is part of our DNA, since the beginning of our history. Racing is mainly our promotional tool - we do not do any kind of advertising - and our living R&D department for our road cars.

FERRARI FACTS AND STATS Nationality: Italian Headquarters: Maranello (Italy) Debut season: 1950 Drivers: Fernando Alonso Felipe Massa Test/reserve driver: Giancarlo Fisichella Team principal: Stefano Domenicali Technical director: Aldo Costa Engine: Ferrari V8 2010 position: 3rd Constructors' titles: 16

What is special about Ferrari?
Ferrari is a myth, all over the world. When you see a Ferrari in a road, you turn your head to follow her. When you see the Ferrari flags in the stands on the other side of the world you understand the passion that this brand generates.
What is the team's status in Formula 1?
We are the most successful team in the history of the sport and we want to keep the position.
What is the team's image?
You should tell me…
Why should people support Ferrari?
I would not say "should": people do support Ferrari because of the passion which comes from its history, its brand, its style.
If your team were an animal what would it be?
A prancing horse!!
What does a team boss do?
Helps the team to have the best resources to compete, chooses the right people for the right places, protect the team.
What is the most difficult thing about being a team boss?
Dealing with the inside and outside pressure.

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