Whitmarsh expects to continue working with Hamilton "for a long time"
Last Updated: May 15, 2012 4:26pm
McLaren Team Principal Martin Whitmarsh is confident the team's string of errors so far this season will have no bearing on contract renegotiations with Lewis Hamilton as they attempt to tie the Briton to a new deal.
Hamilton's title challenge so far this season has been heavily compromised by repeated pitlane mistakes by the Woking outfit, the latest of which was an embarrassing fuelling problem in Spanish GP qualifying which resulted in the 2008 World Champion being relegated to the back of the grid from pole.
The mistakes come ahead of a period when McLaren will attempt to extend Hamilton's contract into 2013 and beyond but Whitmarsh says he is expecting to continue "working with him for a long time to come".
"No, I don't," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph when asked if he thought the mistakes could affect Hamilton's decision making over his future.
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THURSDAY 24th - P1 from 8.45am.P2 from 12.45am
SATURDAY 26th - P3 from 9.45am.Q from 12pm
SUNDAY 27th - Race from 11.30am
To find out all the different ways to watch the action, click here
"He has got to build the support of the team, he has got to feel comfortable doing it, he has got to want to drive and he is in good shape. I look forward to working with him for a long time to come."
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 in the immediate aftermath of Hamilton's stunning recovery drive from last place to eighth on Sunday, Whitmarsh described the 27-year-old's performance as "extraordinary".
The McLaren boss continues to lavish praise on his driver and says his respect for him in light of the events of the weekend has only increased.
"To be a great driver like [Juan Manuel] Fangio you need greatness in handling setbacks and challenges off the track, and he has excelled in that," he said.
"My affection and admiration for Lewis have been enhanced by events this weekend. The relationship between Lewis and the team is stronger and better and hopefully we will work together for a long time."
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