Martin Whitmarsh says decision to release Paddy Lowe is not linked to Honda deal

Martin Whitmarsh has denied any link between McLaren's decision to let former Technical Director Paddy Lowe join Mercedes ahead of schedule and their switch to Honda power in 2015.

Of the criticism itself, he added: "Formula 1 has a habit of talking down the show that we put on. In the last three years, we've had some of the best racing, more overtaking, than in the 24 years I've been involved in the sport. "If the tyres are very consistent, with no degradation and there's only one stop, it's formulaic: everyone in field stops halfway, changes his tyres and does the second half, then we complain also. So it's a very difficult balancing act. "Inevitably, when the tyres are challenging, in terms of getting performance out of them and the level of degradation, drivers and people like myself get deeply uncomfortable. We don't like it. "We also don't like the notion that a driver has to drive within the limitations of the tyres. There's clearly at times a fear that, instead of being a flat-out race or sprint, then it's a tyre nursing exercise. "To an extent, looking after tyres has always been a feature of the sport and, again, it's a balance: you want a level of degradation and challenge from the tyre. But then, typically, those that are mastering it think it's okay, those that are struggling don't like it. "I think we've got to be respectful that we the teams are always adding performance to our cars. That is always putting greater loading on the tyre, making it more difficult and Pirelli have got to run that balancing act of giving us a tyre that we can race with at the same time as contributing to the spectacle. "Certainly over the last few years, I think you've got to acknowledge that Pirelli have contributed to the show more times than they've been to the detriment of the show." The 2013 Monaco Grand Prix this weekend is live only on Sky Sports F1. Don't miss out, upgrade or subscribe to Sky Sports today