Whitmarsh: McLaren must respond

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh has urged the Woking team to rise to the challenge set down by Red Bull in Japan…

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh has urged the Woking team to rise to the challenge set down by Red Bull in Japan.

The reigning World Champions were in a class of their own in last weekend’s grand prix at the Suzuka track with Sebastian Vettel claiming a dominant victory.

The win, his second in two races, allowed the German to close up on Fernando Alonso in the Drivers’ standings while putting space between himself and those behind him.

Two drivers who are trailing him are Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button who find themselves fourth and sixth in the hunt, 42 and 63 points off the pace respectively.

Whitmarsh, though, is refusing to give up, confident that McLaren can and will rise to the challenge set out by Red Bull.

“They looked good, it was the strongest car over the course of the weekend,” he said.

“We only had a car capable of the second row in qualifying because Red Bull were quicker.

“We need to look at the car, how we set it up, what developments we can make, the character of the coming circuits and see if we can get back.

“We have had a quick car for a few races but we are in a development race.

“Red Bull look strong, that is the challenge for us and that is the kind of challenge we like to try and respond to.”