Whitmarsh focused on 2010

Whitmarsh: Aiming to return to top

Work on next year's car is already going very encouragingly - it's already quicker than the current car

Martin Whitmarsh
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McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh has cautioned rival Formula One teams that their car for next year is already quicker than the model used this season.

Lewis Hamilton was expected to conclude 2009 for the outfit with a win at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after dominating practice and qualifying, but the former world champion was forced to withdraw from the Yas Marina circuit with a right rear brake issue.

Despite this, McLaren have produced an impressive fighting finish this season after a gloomy start to the year in which they took only 14 points from the first nine races.

The team have since continued to improve and netted 57 points in the closing eight grands prix, with 40 coming from Hamilton, to clinch third place in the constructor's championship, just a point ahead of long-standing rivals Ferrari.

Whitmarsh insists McLaren have every reason to be proud of their efforts this season and is looking forward to competing against Ferrari again in 2010.

"The race was a disappointing end to a challenging season, but overall there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful about it," said Whitmarsh.

"The team has worked tremendously hard all year to improve the car, which started as one of the slower, but ended it with two fine wins and a string of impressive points-scoring finishes.

"The fact we beat Ferrari to third place is also a matter of pride to us, and I want to pay tribute to all at the team for the superhuman efforts they made in achieving that milestone.

"Ferrari are always formidable opponents for us, and next year we hope to beat them again - this time for first place rather than third."

Encouraging

The McLaren boss also believes the team could have an advantage after already making an encouraging start on developing next year's car.

"Perhaps more important still is that work on next year's car is already going very encouragingly - it's already quicker than the current car," added Whitmarsh.

"So there's every reason for us to be confident we'll be able to continue to develop and improve it significantly between now and the beginning of the 2010 season."

Hamilton took more points than any other driver from the last eight races, despite failing to complete three of them.

Aside from the obvious disappointment of ending the year prematurely, 24-year-old Hamilton is thinking positive and is intent on reclaiming his world championship crown next season.

"Of course, it's a shame we couldn't show the performance we'd had throughout the weekend, but sometimes that's racing," said Hamilton.

"However, I think we can be really proud of our efforts. Who'd have thought we'd finish third in the constructors' championship at the start of this season?

"It's been an incredible year, and now I can't wait for next season to start so I can fight for the world championship again."