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Don't write off McLaren, warns Whitmarsh

Martin Whitmarsh has faith in his drivers to deliver in the remaining races © Sutton Images

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• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Jenson Button
• |
• Lewis Hamilton

• Teams:
• McLaren

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says it would be unwise for anyone to write off either Lewis Hamilton or Jenson Button with three races still remaining this season.

Hamilton trails championship leader Mark Webber by 28 points with Button a further three points behind him but Whitmarsh says that his drivers experience of winning titles will stand them in good stead.

"With three races remaining, and 75 points on the table for the drivers, it would be unwise to write off Jenson, Lewis or Vodafone McLaren Mercedes," said Whitmarsh. "Both drivers have won world championships before - they understand the difficulties of such a unique situation, and both have learned how to deliver their best under high pressure. They will be ready for this battle and it's a battle that will doubtless be won by consistency.

"While we will continue with our aggressive development strategy, bringing further new components to this race, we're mindful of the need to bag points at every race. Nonetheless, we are committed to winning, and won't give up without a fight."

It had been feared that Hamilton may have faced another five-place grid penalty at Korea after his gearbox issue at Suzuka but Whitmarsh says this will definitely not happen.

"Finally, to clarify, following his gearbox issue in Suzuka, Lewis will not face a second successive five-place grid penalty this weekend. The gearbox regulations were framed to ensure teams weren't penalised twice for the same gearbox issue, so Lewis will go into the weekend without risk of further penalty."

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