06/10/2010
NEWS STORY
McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale insists that his team is throwing "everything and the kitchen sink" into winning both titles this season.
In the latest Vodafone McLaren Mercedes phone-in press conference, Neale was adamant that both titles are still winnable despite disappointing results in Italy and Singapore.
"We're throwing everything and the kitchen sink at it," he said. "Ferrari and Red Bull will be pushing very hard and we're doing the same. We expect to be competing and winning some of these races."
While their rivals are already looking ahead to 2011, McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari are still updating this year's cars in an effort to find that something extra.
"If we can pull a modification forward, even if we just had limited components I'd rather have the ability for them to have a fraction of a second faster lap time rather than play until we have a set of spare components," he said of the race to outsmart and out perform the opposition.
"I hope all the upgrades make a big difference," he continued, "we're taking a reasonable size package to Japan, we've got a front wing upgrade and a new rear wing, and there are some aerodynamic details.
"I think what we've got is a big test package for Friday," he added, "then we'll have a better position what we can run in anger... we're taking everything from Singapore and more to Japan."
Following two successive DNFs for Lewis Hamilton Neale admits that he is looking to both drivers to raise their game in Japan and beyond. That said, he admitted that he didn't want to see the 2008 change his never-say-die fighting approach.
"What we've got to do is keep shifting the odds in our favour by working tirelessly to make sure the care is bullet-proof reliable," he said. "The drivers have got to not make mistakes and to hold their nerve, it could go any way.
"It's unfortunate what has happened and that Lewis has made contact," he added. "He is a force of nature, given half an opportunity, he'll race hard, that's what makes him the man he is and why he's such a great driver. If he has the pace and you seen him in the mirror, he'll have a go. I don't think it's in his instinct to play a percentage game but he's a learning animal and will take all of these things and weigh up the risks."