McLaren and Mercedes close ranks

According to Hubbert, Mercedes is to take a greater equity in Ilmor, the company which builds its Formula 1 engines, in order that the German car manufacturer, McLaren and Ilmor can all work together more closely in 2002.

McLaren was comprehensively beaten by Ferrari this year after the Italian team took both the drivers' and constructors' championships. However, Hubbert has vowed to come back fighting and believes closing the ranks is the first step forward.

"Don't expect a revolution," said Hubbert. "But McLaren had and has the capability to build the best chassis and Ilmor the best engine. Daimler Chrysler will take a higher stake in the company [Ilmor] and give Mario Illien [Ilmor co-founder] full access to the [Mercedes] technology available. In a way we'll work closer together and we'll be at least as effective as a team that operates under one roof, without the politics."

McLaren boss Ron Dennis echoed Hubbert's sentiments and confirmed that the Woking-based team has formed a committee, chaired by McLaren managing director Martin Whitmarsh with McLaren technical director Adrian Newey, Illien and Mercedes engineer Hans Peter Kollmeier as its members. Its aim is to make the team work closer together in order to take on Ferrari.

"We have put together a team of people," said Dennis. "A technical steering committee, which is to make the most of the resources placed at its disposal."