McLaren praise Alonso efforts

[davewilson]

McLaren have praised the off-track contribution of Fernando Alonso since joining the team during the winter.

The British team’s CEO Martin Whitmarsh said the double world champion has been vital in the team’s improved form in 2007, which has seen them win for the first time in over a year.

“He [Alonso] has been tremendously focused on working with the team and helping us to make improvements in what we do,” said Whitmarsh, who has had to manage the less harmonious paring of Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya in previous years.

“There is no doubt that Fernando has made a very significant and worthwhile contribution to our programme. It is his honesty, clarity, sincerity. He happens to be an extremely nice human being, but one who is very focused and intent on winning races and World Championships.

“It is the way that he goes about that, he quietly but insistently puts across his point of view, which has enormous credibility and credence within the team.”

Alonso's early season form has seen him leap into a three-way tie for the championship lead with his rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari driver Raikkonen.

Whitmarsh also praised Hamilton after the 22-year-old Briton made the best start to a career in Formula One history with podium finishes in his first three races.

He was particularly impressed with the way he dealt with pressure from Ferrari's Felipe Massa in Malaysia, as he tricked the Brazilian into out-braking himself at turn three and going off while the pair battled for second place.

“Lewis by any standards has had a terrific start to the season and a great beginning to his Formula 1 career, Whitmarsh added.

“Everyone is rightly proud of his achievements, but in reality the primary credit for what has occurred lies with Lewis, who has been very dedicated, focused and calm in the way in which he has approached his debut.

“In many ways probably his start in Malaysia, the way in which he dealt with the pressure from Felipe Massa at the beginning of the race and then resist great pressure from Kimi Raikkonen at the end was a particular highlight.”