Whitmarsh: we need to do a better job

Whitmarsh denied, however, that there was any fall-off in motivation within the team or that there was any ill-feeling between McLaren and partners Daimler Chrysler or engine builder Ilmor.

Whitmarsh added that there were no plans to take Ilmor more directly under McLaren's wing in future, but conceded: "Clearly, Daimler-Chrysler is becoming more involved in the programme. There is always a competitive edge in any team. The chassis people will always look to the engine people to do a better job and vice versa. When you are not as competitive as you think you are going to be, you get people looking at each other and wondering if their partners can do a better job. That creates a tension, which is not always negative but can become so.

"But Daimler Chrysler is bringing enormous resource and support to the programme and we're not doing a good enough job for them or for the team.

"Ferrari has don a really good job and it's hard enough to win a race never mind the championship. If you don't compete then the motivation of the team can fall away. But we are competitors. We are looking to win a few races before the end of the year and to produce a better car, a better engine and a better job next year."