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Job wasn't at risk - Whitmarsh

Lewis Hamilton took his second and McLaren's third victory of the season at the Nurburgring © Sutton Images

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McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says that his job was never in danger before Lewis Hamilton's victory in the German Grand Prix, but that the win was made sweeter by the speculation.

Following a poor pre-season testing and an opening half to the season which saw Red Bull dominating both the driver's and the constructor's championships, at the British Grand Prix Whitmarsh admitted that McLaren was not performing well enough. With Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button yet to commit their long-term futures to the team, and Whitmarsh having said that his relationship with McLaren executive chairman Ron Dennis "interesting", rumours began to spread that his job was under threat.

However, Whitmarsh said that his comments had been blown out of proportion, with the media mistaking his honesty as fear for his future.

"I was very honest at Silverstone and said that things were not going well and some interpreted it to be my job in danger," Whitmarsh is quoted by El Pais. "I don't think anyone in the paddock who is minimally intelligent really believed that was so. When you're at the head of one of the strongest teams you do have a lot of pressure on you. But the pressure I put on myself is much stronger than the garbage that's in the press."

Whitmarsh also admitted that despite ignoring the reports, Sunday's victory was made all the sweeter following the rumours.

"If I said it didn't I'd be lying," Whitmarsh said.

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