Mercedes motorsport supremo Norbert Haug has moved to downplay speculation that the McLaren team had serious problems at last week’s test in Jerez.
The Woking-based squad had been experimenting with different rear wing arrangements and rumours began to emerge that the team’s overall pace was lacking as a result. But speaking to German newspaper Auto Motor und Sport, Haug dismissed ideas that the team were off the pace.
“Whenever the track conditions were the fastest and the best times were set, our car was always in the box (pits),” he insisted.
While nothing concrete can be read into testing times, McLaren’s experimentation with rear-wing configurations – including running with their 2008 rear wing for large parts of the Jerez tests – could nevertheless be a source of concern. The team will want to resolve any outstanding issues at this week’s test in Barcelona before returning to Jerez next weekend.
