Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

McLaren to allow mates Hamilton, Button to keep on-track duel

August 03, 2011 10:03 IST

McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale insists that the team will not impose team orders on their drivers -- Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton -- during the latter part of the Formula One season.

In Hungary on Sunday, McLaren laid on another thrilling spectacle as the former champions fighting it out at the head of the field with Button roaring to victory again.

Jenson Button and Lewis HamiltonHowever, they were not so fortunate in Canada, as Hamilton had crashed out after hitting Button's car. 

"We are not about to compromise our values and what we believe with our racing at McLaren. A number of teams have made the observation that we make championships harder for ourselves, but we are about winning races," the Telegraph quoted Neale, as saying.

"I believe Lewis and Jenson are both driving better as a result of having each other in the team and being allowed to run like that. When we were in Canada we let them get on with it and had a coming together. It's risky, but when you have back-to-back world champions, you have to respect they are the ones there in the moment," he added.

McLaren, who have won three of the last five Grands Prix, look well placed for more victories.

However, with Button and Hamilton separated by just 12 points, and with both having won twice this year, the two drivers are costing each other points.
Source: ANI