Whether one might refer to McLaren as a team in crisis or not is debatable, but it's fair to say that the Woking outfit is currently going through a difficult period.

Clearly, the switch from Honda to Renault hasn't solved the on-track problems, while an ever increasing team of experts hasn't resulted in any noticeable gaps being filled on the papaya cars with sponsors decals.

Then, in a week in which the atmosphere within the team has been described as "toxic" and the management as "clueless", in addition to the ridicule of Freddo-gate, not to mention the team being unable to trace the root of its aero issues in the windtunnel, both drivers fail to make it into Q2.

Whether it's fair that Eric Boullier has been singled out or not, at Friday's press conference, despite the jokes about Freddo, the Frenchman was clearly a man under pressure.

Speaking to reporters in the wake of yesterday's qualifying disaster, McLaren CEO Zak Brown gave his support to Boullier, but those familiar with politics or football may interpret that support somewhat differently.

"Eric is a valued member of the team," said the American. "Clearly we have to identify why we've missed this year's aero and the development of the car."

Asked if the Frenchman will continue in his role until the end of the season, the journalist behind the Freddo story having claimed that Boullier could be dropped by Silverstone, Brown further muddied the waters.

"I can confirm that everybody on the race team will be in Abu Dhabi," he said.

Asked if any management changes are in the pipeline he added: "I'm not going to get into any personnel changes as a race team of 700 to 800 people."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Karim, 25/06/2018 7:59

"" ..... a race team of 700 to 800 people."

At least ZB's got a rough idea how many are in the team."

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2. Posted by mickl, 25/06/2018 2:13

"@ Elf Team Tyrell. Apparently is was Whitmarsh when he became team principal that the current management processes and procedures were put in place.

I still say, offer Adrian Newey £100m to jump ship and let him have carte blanche in designing the car. That has to be cheaper than running many seasons with no lead sponsor and back of the pack points/prize money splits."

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3. Posted by Elf Team Tyrrell, 24/06/2018 19:31

"As much as I love McLaren, I have to say that I am rather pleased to see the state that they now find themselves in. This all goes back to sacking Ron, love him or loathe him he....after Bruce himself...is McLaren and this is proof of the shareholders short sightedness in sacking Ron.
To be fair Whitmarsh didn't exactly bring in a huge amount to the team but surely he would be better than the sorry bunch trying to run it at the moment.
Just saying! "

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4. Posted by -ape-, 24/06/2018 18:19

"Bouller should sack the head of aero and bring in some new guys who do have a clue about aerodynamics.
"

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5. Posted by F One, 24/06/2018 11:54

"He's getting the sack then."

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Brown: Eric is a valued member of the team

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