McLaren: Pitlane position an advantage

McLaren have said they will not waste any time worrying about their relegation to the bottom of the pit lane - especially because they think it is an advantage for them.

The Woking-based team were informed prior to the Bahrain Grand Prix that they would be moved from the fifth slot they had at the first two races to the bottom of the pit lane.

Although it is not certain yet whether or not the move will be permanent, McLaren boss Ron Dennis insists that the garage positioning does not worry to him.

“I haven`t a clue and I don`t think about it,” said Dennis, when asked whether the team would occupy the last slot for the remainder of the year.

“Technically, it`s an advantage as far as we can see and where we are in the pit lane doesn`t affect the races. If there is an outcome, it will be positive not negative.

“Obviously some of the other facilities are not as good as here in Bahrain, it can be a bit of a squeeze, but we`re very resilient to this sort of thing.”

Although occupying the last slot in the paddock means the team will have less paddock space as well as less garage space, Dennis does not think it will prevent the team bringing their motorhome to races.

“I have no reason to believe we won`t use the Brand Centre at all grands prix,” he said. “That`s my agreement with Bernie and I see no reason for that to be changed.

Ecclestone revealed to The Times last week that he moved McLaren down the pit lane because of a request from FIA president Max Mosley.

“For years I always lay everything out in the pits and the paddock - it`s nothing to do with the FIA,” he told newspaper. “For 30 years there`s always been a joke that if we don`t have enough garages, they will have to be on the grass. It is always `take it easy, or you are going to be on the grass next year.` So we always had the principle that whoever won the championship would go at one end of the pit lane.

“I said `well we`ve got a bloody great motorhome which we are going to have a job to fit in different places - because it takes a lot of room. So let`s do a bit of a compromise and put McLaren four or five - something like that.` And Ron said `where are we going to be?` And I said that`s what we`ll do.

“Then I had a letter from Max the other day explaining - he said Bernie I have had a lot of complaints from people saying that you sort of arbitrarily put Ron there which is something you`ve never done before.

“You`ve always been very strict no matter who the team is and suddenly, out of the blue, you do this and the teams are complaining. So I think you ought to follow what you`ve been doing for 30 years and put them where they should be which is at the end of the pit lane.”

6.4.2008   ▪ Formula One    ▪ McLaren    ▪ www.autosport.com