Haug: "We don't criticize McLaren"

If McLaren is not in a position to win races this season, it is not due to the engine supplied by Mercedes-Benz. This was the message from the head of the German manufacturer's sporting department Norbert Haug, after the paltry 4 points collected by Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen in the first three races of 2009.

“If everything had worked in the right direction, with our KERS and our engine, we would have been able to fight for the title,” said Haug from Stuttgart.

He insisted, however, that such comments are "not a criticism" of the McLaren team, despite the fact that all components are produced in Woking apart from the KERS and engine. Haug admitted: “On the aerodynamic side we could have done a better job.”

Marco Privitera