For me the problem with Whitmarshs mcLaren can be seen exactly in the Lewis/Jenson teambuilding stakes
Lewis was the incumbent fast Wc driver (similar to Alonso in Rons era but see the difference) and jenson was brought in by Whitmarsh above him despite no evidence of him being faster or better. Whitmarsh is too governed by an nepotistic, political and mutual back scratching approach. He brought Jenson in believing he had the experience to lead, rally build the team because lewis a kid lacked in this area.
He put operational concerns and marketing corporate demands before sporting reasons. He backed the wrong driver and built him up not because he was better but he looked more the part. That is plain wrong and he is now preparing to pay dearly for this.
Ron on the other hand had Alonso, brought in Lewis saw Lewis was matching him and just let them get on with it to Alonsos immense distress. Whitmarsh propbably looked at that and thought it mad and brought Button in to put Lewis in his place and have a driver he could relate to, have dinner with, asrse kiss sponsors with etc. Whitmarsh failed in his job as boss of a sproting concern. yes Lewis is hard work, baggage etc and Jenson will smile all day as long as yu pay him, but Whitmatsh should have worked harder on making the team follow Lewis and not taking the easy option of letting Jenson with his vast experience of intra team politics just take over and hijack the team. Now he will reap what has been sowed.
Same thing with Sam Michael, how can you bring in a guy from Williams that has no respect for whatever reasons then announce that he is your successor cos he wants it more than the guys already there who would be mad to overtly chase his top job, whereas again Sam would have been kissing arse all through dinner and blowing roses in Whitmarshs rear. How could a guy like Paddy sit there with the brains and listen to how some 'disturbingly good looking' young punk was gonna come in and politic his way to be his boss.
In the corporate world such a weak minded leader would have long been found out when the company results stagnated because they would when you place looks above ability. But Mclaren are more concerned with keeping sponsors sweet and putting on a show for them rather than results so hes gotten away with it. I bet the shareholders love him because of that side. But guess what hes fkd that up as well, bye bye Vodaphone (maybe not his fault) but guess who is going to suffer most when trying to continue running the firm and getting new sponsors in etc.
The injustice this team have done to Lewis makes my blood boil and he put up with it because of the guilt trip of 'we gave you a break'
And the gloating from Button and Whitmarsh as they tried to leverage Lewis' ability for their own corrupt ends was disgusting. The sneaky 'save fuel' stuff, the remarks from Whitmrash when either did well/badly etc etc
Only the blind didnt see there was something wrong and guess what, if somethings rotten and you paint over it, soon yu run out of paint then the rott is gonna be beyond belief when its exposed
Which is what we have here, Whitmarsh has turned the team into a sham, tried to build up some uber cool Brit James Bond team with lame duck button as the poster boy, Lewis didnt fit, (only his setup) and Rons hands are tied because he is desperate to retain control and not do the sensible thing - be bought out by a firm like Mercedes.
Rant over, and before the usual people start complaining and screaming conspiracy, let them fault anything i have said here please, dont just say 'you talking crap' prove it or shut up already
This is great. Like you read my mind..., I'm sure many, many, more feel the same way. What's really funny/insightful, is the "James Bond" part. It's the perfect parallel, and one that I had also thought of. I can't even watch those movies anymore, because once you understand the reality that exists behind those farcical romps, you realize how sinister it all really is, and how narrow-minded. And that was precisely what was played out in front of our faces, only on a sporting level. And the reason that I got so hot, is that it is all rooted in supremacy, of a particular sort.
And as smart as they thought they were, and as much as they tried to hide it behind those smug countenances, it was eventually exposed to the world, and now, they are paying the price. So good luck McLaren, and good riddance. Back to the midfield for you, where you apparently deserve to be. I wish you all the best. I'm sure you will figure it out eventually.
Peace.___
