F1: Drivers Have Given Us A Boost, Says Whitmarsh

Formula 1

F1: Drivers Have Given Us A Boost, Says Whitmarsh

Jenson Button and Sergio Perez both struggled in Australia...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted March 20, 2013 Balen (BEL)

Martin Whitmarsh says his drivers managed well in Australia, all things considered. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh has praised his drivers for their positive attitude in the face of the team’s troubled start to the season.

Jenson Button and Sergio Perez finished ninth and 11th, respectively, in Australia after a disastrous debut for the MP4-28.

“On a weekend like this, you look for positives,” said Whitmarsh. “And certainly one of the positives is how great the drivers have been. I think their attitude, their approach has been very, very good. Jenson we know and love, we expect that from him. He’s just that sort of professional.

“For a young driver like ‘Checo’ (Perez) to arrive in this situation and cope with it so well and perform in such difficult circumstances, in such a positive way, is very encouraging. They’re working for the team, they’re team players, and we’re in this together.

“They’ve both been exemplary. I can tell you even myself: you get raised by them, you want to fight for them; they deserve it. It makes you even more determined to deliver for them. They did a great job (last) weekend in circumstances that were not good for them.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 28th season as a racing journalist in 2012. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.