McLaren make 'poor job' of Ferrari battle

Team chief Ron Dennis has admitted that his McLaren outfit have done a ’poor job’ in trying to dent Ferrari’s crushing superiority this season.

Ferrari could equal the record of 15 wins in a season set by McLaren in 1988 if they win the final two grand prix this year.

But Dennis admitted: “I think Jean Todt (Ferrari’s sporting director) and his colleagues have obviously done an incredibly good job.

“But I take some comfort from the fact that I think our team has done a pretty poor job.

“I think we make them actually look better because of our own efforts not being as they should be.

“But there tends to be a certain bio-rhythm to the performance of grand prix teams. I often think, ‘have we lost the expertise that’s required to win races and win world championships?’ I don’t think we have.”

Dennis, whose team took Finland’s Mika Hakkinen to the drivers’ title in 1998 and 1999, have managed just one win this year thanks to David Coulthard’s triumph in Monaco.

McLaren are back in third place in the Constructors’ standings on 57 points behind Williams (86) and Ferrari (189) who have already celebrated a fourth successive title this season.

Dennis has had to watch as Michael Schumacher has romped to a record 10 wins to claim a fifth drivers’ crown with Rubens Barrichello chipping in with three victories.

Ferrari have had seven one-twos this season – they will bid for a fourth in a row in tomorrow’s United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis – such has been their massive superiority.

The dominance has led to claims that Ferrari have made the sport boring with fears that tomorrow’s attendance at the Motor Speedway will be well down on the previous two years.

But sporting director Todt has defended his team’s success after so many lean years – and insists it won’t last for ever.

“Our dominant position at the moment is due to different factors – a strong team, fantastic drivers, fantastic technical partners and I’m mainly talking about Bridgestone who is supplying us with great tyres.

“I know such cycles have happened in Formula One, my colleague Ron has had one such.

“Unfortunately for them after many, many years of hard time for Ferrari, its happening for Ferrari at the moment.

“We know it will not last for ever. But as long as it can last we will do everything we can because we are very motivated.”

Rival boss Frank Williams, whose team dominated F1 for much of the 1990’s guiding Damon Hill and Nigel Mansell to their world titles, also hopes the situation will change soon.

“Jean’s in possession of the greatest car presently,” said Williams. “This will change – we certainly hope so.

“Ferrari’s resources are maybe greater than Williams’. But I’ve always thought the best racing cars come out of the most creative minds, not necessarily from the most technology.”