If you were managing Mclaren what would have you done after the first Stewards inquiry of the Australian Race.
Take into consideration what we know as fact not Speculation:
The Team and #1 driver salvaged a fourth place finish.
Your driver did an interview after the race and told the press he was informed by his team to let Trulli Pass.
Your Driver and Sporting Director went into a Steward's meeting and denied* letting Trulli pass.
*No speculation into who started the lie.
You Know FIA has access to your radio transmissions and telemetry and In 4 days you have to go to another steward's meeting over the same situation.
What do you do?
Whitmarsh's biggest failure was not speaking to Hamilton and Ryan after their interview. That was major mismanagement on his part. Knowing what Hamilton and Ryan said would have at least saved some of the team's reputation.
Once the scandal came to light, I don't think I would have fired Ryan - that was over the top; although internal disciplinary action would have been taken. Hamilton would have received internal disciplinary action as well.

Ayrton Senna: WDC 1988,
1989, 1990, 1991
McLaren: WCC 1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998,
1999, 2007McLaren: WDC 1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008