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[7UpJordan]

Martin Whitmarsh has informed onlookers that an improvement in pace is expected from the McLaren-Mercedes cars in Monaco next weekend. The team has suffered from a miserable start to the campaign and currently lies fourth with just thirteen points in comparison to the sixty-eight scored by leaders Brawn GP.

Victory belonged to Lewis Hamilton on the streets of Monte-Carlo last year

With a lack of downforce from the MP4-24, the team predictably suffered in Spain on Sunday and scored no points. "After we were nearly on the podium in Bahrain, we knew where we were," said team principal Whitmarsh. "This was going to be a very difficult weekend; I think there are positives to take out of it, we have come a long way from where we were eight weeks ago and the other positive is: look at Lewis, what a fighter and what a great drive from him."

Hamilton made an instant impression when joining F1 in 2007, with a remarkable string of nine consecutive podium finishes in as many races from the start of the season, before going on to clinch the title last year. "He's always been in a winning car," Whitmarsh explained. "He's not at the moment and he's doing a fantastic job.

"Monaco is going to be different and we are going to be strong. We still have loads of work, it's not going to be magic, but we are definitely going to be stronger there and we are going to keep pushing this car to make it better. Monaco is a circuit that will suit us and we've got great drivers - Lewis is mega there."

Come on Whitmarsh, we all know you wanted to do a Nico Rosberg impersonation and say "This track should suit our car."

[darwin dali]

Martin Whitmarsh has informed onlookers that an improvement in pace is expected from the McLaren-Mercedes cars in Monaco next weekend. The team has suffered from a miserable start to the campaign and currently lies fourth with just thirteen points in comparison to the sixty-eight scored by leaders Brawn GP.

Victory belonged to Lewis Hamilton on the streets of Monte-Carlo last year

With a lack of downforce from the MP4-24, the team predictably suffered in Spain on Sunday and scored no points. "After we were nearly on the podium in Bahrain, we knew where we were," said team principal Whitmarsh. "This was going to be a very difficult weekend; I think there are positives to take out of it, we have come a long way from where we were eight weeks ago and the other positive is: look at Lewis, what a fighter and what a great drive from him."

Hamilton made an instant impression when joining F1 in 2007, with a remarkable string of nine consecutive podium finishes in as many races from the start of the season, before going on to clinch the title last year. "He's always been in a winning car," Whitmarsh explained. "He's not at the moment and he's doing a fantastic job.

"Monaco is going to be different and we are going to be strong. We still have loads of work, it's not going to be magic, but we are definitely going to be stronger there and we are going to keep pushing this car to make it better. Monaco is a circuit that will suit us and we've got great drivers - Lewis is mega there."

Come on Whitmarsh, we all know you wanted to do a Nico Rosberg impersonation and say "This track should suit our car."

[scotty]

I guess it's easy for someone in Whitmarsh's position to say that - the only way is up for McLaren right now.

[racechick]

Martin Whitmarsh - Lewis is mega there."

[billindenver]

Martin Whitmarsh - Lewis is mega there."

The proof is on the podium...we shall see. It's easy to be mega when your car is dominant.

[Hanwombat]

Mclaren wont be on podium, I want them to be but no I dont see it happening.

[bud]

Mclaren wont be on podium, I want them to be but no I dont see it happening.

i cant see any team being on the podium in Monaco actually.

[darwin dali]

Mclaren wont be on podium, I want them to be but no I dont see it happening.

i cant see any team being on the podium in Monaco actually.

[Hanwombat]

[shani182]

I'm quite excited actually.
I really hope mclaren get up there or somewhere close.
I'm really sick of seeing them fail ):
It makes me sad ):

[racechick]

Martin Whitmarsh - Lewis is mega there."

The proof is on the podium...we shall see. It's easy to be mega when your car is dominant.

He's been mega in equal machinary to the rest of the field in previous categories and he's been mega compared to team mates in dominant machinary in F1.He's good at this track, that you cant deny.

The proof is on the podium? Not neccessarily. Qualifying speed at Monacco is an indicator. A podium is a tough call in the current McLaren but I think its his best shot so far......and he's been close a couple of times already. As you say, we shall see.

[bud]

KERS will play a significant role i think for the first corner! Ferrari or even McLaren if their up there can Q heavier than Redbull and Brawn hope to be on the 2nd row and boost past to the lead set the pace and stay out longer!

[Gilles 27]

i disagree on the KERS thing as I doubt there will be room to go flying up the inside of St Devote and anyways, the run down from the start line is probably too short. The KERS system can only be used once the car is no longer traction limited and moving at a certain speed, it's not like launch control (this incidentally is the reason that it can't be used as a launch control as I feared it might). I doubt there will be enough of a run down there for it to make a difference.

[Gaz]

Mclaren wont be on podium, I want them to be but no I dont see it happening.

Belive Hannah!

Martin Whitmarsh - Lewis is mega there."

The proof is on the podium...we shall see. It's easy to be mega when your car is dominant.

[bud]

well they make it well over 100km before braking for 1 corner so KERS is able to be engaged. even though there isnt heaps of room KERS still could give just enough boost to put you ahead for turn one.