McLaren to LMP1/2?

[slicktoast]

Should McLaren just pack it up and move to sportscars? They are under the microscope and giving the FIA cause on a platter. The slightest whiff of questionable actions will bring the stewards swooping in.

[andy_b]

no possible with their current set up, far to big

[johntt]

They would have cut down massively, but theoretically with their expertise they could make some very capable P1/P2 customer chassis, and an F3 car that would give Dallara a run for their money.

Sadly there are few other series that are open chassis left that they could build cars for, unless they got the contract for a spec series somewhere.

They could also engineer racing versions of production cars in the manner that RML and Prodrive do.

[notguilty]

if Mclaren bounces I'd love to see them return to Le Mans maybe with a proto or the P11 or both Aston is doing it with the P1 and GT1 programs. I think they would produce one hell of an F3 Chassis an really give Dallara a run for there money. Maybe with there Merc connections head over to the DTM give them a 2007 C class an see what happens!. Why not Mclaren is big enough to all of these things at once.

[Marbot]

They should do well in any series that isn't FIA sanctioned.

They could really take tractor-pulling by storm!

[Aysedasi]

I for one would welcome them to sportscars, it might make some people/organisations realise there is life beyond F1.....

[steve nielsen]

They could also try beeing honest

[Glen]

If they switch to another area which better fits their field of expertise, the should consider political spin-doctoring or industrial espionage.

[ChrisPage]

Originally Posted by Glen

If they switch to another area which better fits their field of expertise, the should consider political spin-doctoring or industrial espionage.

A disgruntled Ferrari employee gave the information to someone in McLaren. They didn't engage in any industrial espionage. They should have handed it back granted, but there were no torch lit raids on Marrenello in the dead of night.

There is a good article in this week's Autosport about McLaren's internal culture, and the need to be seen to be whiter than white. This causing them to lie when the truth would probably serve them better in any case.

I find it highly unlikley we will see McLaren doing anything other than F1. Though we'll see what the FIA hearing has to say. Personally I suspect they will get a slap on the wrist or a couple of race bans. Hopefully what ever they get is enough to make them change their ways without breaking them.

Though there do seem to be enough people on this forum at least who seem to believe lying is enough to warrent some kind of public hanging...

[bodgit]

They'ed proberbly recive a massive financal penalty from the FIA for leaving the sport

[RaiseYourFist]

Originally Posted by bodgit

They'ed proberbly recive a massive financal penalty from the FIA for leaving the sport

Honda didn't

[bodgit]

Originally Posted by RaiseYourFist

Honda didn't

Yes, but this is mclaren, not honda

[Tone]

I doubt McLaren would want to be in any other sport - think about all the commercial aggrements they have and the workforce they would have to shed..

Originally Posted by ChrisPage

A disgruntled Ferrari employee gave the information to someone in McLaren. They didn't engage in any industrial espionage.

Well it comes pretty close to the definition industrial espionage...

[Teretonga]

What would have happened if Ryan and Hamilton hadn't lied?

What would have happened if they had said "Yes we deliberately slowed to let Trulli back through after he ran off."

"We were not sure if we were supposed to be behind him or in front of him?"

Would the FIA have then penalised them for trying to manipulate the results or for not maintaining a consistent spped/distance behind the pace car....?

I'm just wondering if the reason for 'lying' was simply that they weren't sure if the FIA would have penalised them for slowing and ushering him Trulli through...

Thje way the FIA seems to work is if it moves and is a McLaren fine it millions or try to expell it from the championship , if its a Toyota, Renault or anything else, minimise the offence, or send it to the back of the grid

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Teretonga

What would have happened if Ryan and Hamilton hadn't lied?

Shorter threads ?

Err...I'd say 25 second penalty,but that's just a wild stab in the dark.

[LinkF1]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Err...I'd say 25 second penalty,but that's just a wild stab in the dark.

Not much different from the methods the stewards seem to be using.

[Marbot]

Perhaps there could be a 'Penalty wheel of ill-fortune' ranging from five-place grid penalty to total exclusion of team and drivers from championship for any punishable offence.

[Glen]

This is the stupid thing though, isn't it? If they'd just said that they had conceded the place to be on the safe side, but on reflection they thought they should have 3rd, they should indeed have been awarded 3rd (because Trulli lost control of his car under yellows).

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Glen

This is the stupid thing though, isn't it? If they'd just said that they had conceded the place to be on the safe side, but on reflection they thought they should have 3rd, they should indeed have been awarded 3rd (because Trulli lost control of his car under yellows).

It all stems from people not knowing the rules.Neither Hamilton nor Trulli was clear about what they should do (although to be fair to Hamilton he did suggest that he retain third place on the track),and obviously not one single person on the McLaren or Toyota pit-wall was having much of a clue either.

[fourWheelDrift]

Originally Posted by Glen

This is the stupid thing though, isn't it? If they'd just said that they had conceded the place to be on the safe side, but on reflection they thought they should have 3rd, they should indeed have been awarded 3rd (because Trulli lost control of his car under yellows).

Maybe I am cynical but although this is the common sense answer I think they would have been penalised for failing to maintain speed/gap to the safety car. Not that this in any way excuses their behaviour.

[foreversideways]

I think drivers are spoon fed by the teams now as they have the radio link, so they are no longer as clear on the regulations as they have been in the past. I doubt Jackie Stewart would have made such a mistake. Mind you that bloke on Hamilton's radio would do my head in. He sounds like the computer in 2001 "I can't do that Dave" !!!!!!!

[awrb]

Originally Posted by Marbot

It all stems from people not knowing the rules.Neither Hamilton nor Trulli was clear about what they should do (although to be fair to Hamilton he did suggest that he retain third place on the track),and obviously not one single person on the McLaren or Toyota pit-wall was having much of a clue either.

Trulli didn't do anything wrong, apart from fall off the track. If Hamilton slowed down to let him past, he's not going to then let Hamilton back past. Anti-racing each other to the flag.

I'm surprised that the guys on the McLaren pit wall didn't immidiatly know what to do though, it is their job

[bdwoody]

it sounds like a lot of people on here are experts to the enth degree , some ought to try a bit of racing even at grass roots level ,blasting around and then try and make a spit second decision with complete clarity and total recall after , before hanging drivers and teams .....mmmmm !!!!!

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by bdwoody

it sounds like a lot of people on here are experts to the enth degree , some ought to try a bit of racing even at grass roots level ,blasting around and then try and make a spit second decision with complete clarity and total recall after , before hanging drivers and teams .....mmmmm !!!!!

You would at least expect the 'sporting director' of the team to be able to suss out what to do in what usually would be a fairly ordinary situation.