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Whitmarsh focused on title challenge

ESPN Staff
August 27, 2012 « Grosjean targets stronger second half of season | Spa 'one of the most demanding circuits' for Pirelli »
Martin Whitmarsh is confident that McLaren can still win both the drivers' and constructors' championships © Sutton Images
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Martin Whitmarsh says McLaren is still using Lewis Hamilton's victory in Hungary as motivation that it can challenge for both championships.

Following a tough few races before a major upgrade was introduced to the MP4-27, McLaren bounced back ahead of the summer break with Jenson Button's second place in Germany and Hamilton's win at the Hungaroring. In a slightly different approach to most other teams, McLaren then opted to shut down its factory immediately after the Hungarian Grand Prix, allowing it an uninterrupted preparation for Spa this weekend.

Whitmarsh said that while there has been a prolonged break between races, winning the last grand prix still motivates the team to continue its momentum.

"Following the mandatory factory shutdown, we're fortunate to have had two full weeks available to prepare ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix," Whitmarsh said. "As usual, we're heading into this double-header hopeful of closing the gap to the leaders in both the drivers' and constructors' championships.

"Lewis's victory in Hungary certainly provided further proof to us that we can take on the fight for both - and that remains our aim: to win both world championships."

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