McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh has played down suggestions his team are favourites to claim the 2012 championship.
The British Formula One team have moved into contention for the title following three successive victories from Lewis Hamilton (Hungarian and Italian Grand Prix) and Jenson Button (Belgium Grand Prix).
McLaren are now 29 points behind overall leader Red Bull with seven races remaining in the season, however Whitmarsh is all too aware things can change in a short period of time.
“I think you’ve got to be cautious,” he said before qualifying for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, where Hamilton claimed pole position.
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“I think we were firm favourites going into the season, we were firm favourites coming out of Australia but it can change.
“I think we’re very pleased that the last three events have been on very different circuits and we’ve been competitive at all of them but I think we’re cautious here.
“Hopefully, we can be competitive.”
Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is confident the team has put their mechanical troubles behind them.
Dual championship winner Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber have both encountered various performance issues with their respective cars, which led to a winless run of four consecutive races.
But Horner is expecting a change in fortune at this weekend’s race in Singapore.
“We’ve had a good look at what failed and tried to find a solution to the problem so hopefully we’ll not see it again,” said Horner.
“Everything is still open in the championship, with seven races to go we’re still in it.
“We’re just going to attack, we need a good result today and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season.
“I’m sure Lewis (Hamilton) and Jenson (Button) will be strong but our drivers enjoy this track and we need a strong weekend.”
McLaren's Whitmarsh rejects F1 favourites tag
McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh has played down suggestions his team are favourites to claim the 2012 championship.
The British Formula One team have moved into contention for the title following three successive victories from Lewis Hamilton (Hungarian and Italian Grand Prix) and Jenson Button (Belgium Grand Prix).
McLaren are now 29 points behind overall leader Red Bull with seven races remaining in the season, however Whitmarsh is all too aware things can change in a short period of time.
“I think you’ve got to be cautious,” he said before qualifying for Sunday’s Singapore Grand Prix, where Hamilton claimed pole position.
“I think we were firm favourites going into the season, we were firm favourites coming out of Australia but it can change.
“I think we’re very pleased that the last three events have been on very different circuits and we’ve been competitive at all of them but I think we’re cautious here.
“Hopefully, we can be competitive.”
Meanwhile, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is confident the team has put their mechanical troubles behind them.
Dual championship winner Sebastian Vettel and team-mate Mark Webber have both encountered various performance issues with their respective cars, which led to a winless run of four consecutive races.
But Horner is expecting a change in fortune at this weekend’s race in Singapore.
“We’ve had a good look at what failed and tried to find a solution to the problem so hopefully we’ll not see it again,” said Horner.
“Everything is still open in the championship, with seven races to go we’re still in it.
“We’re just going to attack, we need a good result today and we’ll see where we are at the end of the season.
“I’m sure Lewis (Hamilton) and Jenson (Button) will be strong but our drivers enjoy this track and we need a strong weekend.”
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English F1 World Championship Jenson Button Keeping cool Lewis Hamilton McLaren Motorsport News Red Bull