Dennis Blames His Drivers

[Senna 0]

Dennis blames his drivers

planetf1

McLaren boss Ron Dennis has justified his decision to sign Fernando Alonso by blaming his current drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Montoya, for the team's failure to win either World Championship in 2005.

Dennis stunned the world of F1 earlier this month by announcing that Alonso, the reigning World Champ, has agreed to move to McLaren from the 2007 season onwards. Not quite as surprising, but still eyebrow-raising, is Dennis' subsequent claim that his drivers' 'psychological overreaction' and inability to cope with 'pressure' had resulted in Alonso and Renault's success.

Reading over some of the reports detailing Alonso's shock transfer as we sought an excuse from eating yet more Turkey, P-F1 noticed the following remark from Dennis in The Guardian:

"Fernando and the Renault team did a great job in 2005. They brought a good package which was reliable for the first race and did the job while our drivers psychologically overreacted to problems at the first round of the world championships and definitely didn't respond to the pressure."

At Melbourne, the first round of the 2005 season, Kimi claimed his weekend had been "destroyed" following his mistake in qualifying. He then stalled on the grid and lost bodywork during the race as he strove to recover.

Montoya, meanwhile, slid off the track during the grand prix, a mistake which a fuming Dennis claimed had cost the team second place.

Yet to claim that his drivers were solely to blame for McLaren's demise is somewhat disingenuous; Kimi, in particular, may cite half-a-dozen mechanical failures, compared to the bullet-proof reliability of Alonso

[Max Mosley 2]

Very interesting. To some extent I agree with Ron, especially regarding Monty - that much is obvious. I agree that early on Kimi seemed unsettled too.

Of course Ron must accept some blame himself as must Mercedes above all.

[ButtonGod 0]

Ron saying this will not help team morale for next season especially after the recent shock departure of Newey.

All this in my opinion should be said behind closed doors.

[pumpdoc 2]

Of course Kimi was unsettled, he knew his car was quick but the bloody mechanics couldn't make it reliable, fitting left loose here, engine part not assembled right there---etc.

[ykickamoocow 0]

Ron is being stupid. If McLaren gave Kimi a reliable engine then they would have won the drivers championship and the constructors championship.

[pumpdoc 2]

Ron is being stupid. If McLaren gave Kimi a reliable engine then they would have won the drivers championship and the constructors championship.

Indeed, can't wait for Kimi to go to Ferrari............Forza Ferrari

[Max Mosley 2]

Indeed but I do feel Kimi made the odd mistake too. Most of the blame should go to Mercedes of course.

[pumpdoc 2]

Indeed but I do feel Kimi made the odd mistake too. Most of the blame should go to Mercedes of course.

........of course.

[xenna 0]

The Drivers and the Team made mistakes..They shouldn't be pointing fingers...instead they should try and focus on their 2006 campaign.

[pumpdoc 2]

The Drivers and the Team made mistakes..They shouldn't be pointing fingers...instead they should try and focus on their 2006 campaign.

To late....damage done...........

[AutoRacer5 0]

If McLaren built better Driveshafts they might have had the 2006 Constructor's cup.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

"Fernando and the Renault team did a great job in 2005. They brought a good package which was reliable for the first race and did the job while our drivers psychologically overreacted to problems at the first round of the world championships and definitely didn't respond to the pressure."

This is what Ron said. He isnt blaming his drivers for losing the title. planet f1 is putting a major spin on it and talking crap so dont be fooled

[nojvnof1 0]

If McLaren built better Driveshafts they might have had the 2006 Constructor's cup.

or if Kimi had been a little easier on the car at Imola, where he was warned not to push hard and conserve the car as they knew the driveshaft wouldn't last if pushed, then things may have been a little different.

Kimi, McLaren and Mercedes all played their part in their own defeat, with the latter two playing the biggest part. McLaren as their car was clearly inferior to the Renault for the first 3 or 4 races and had to make an upgrade to the suspension package as they weren't getting enough heat into the tyres over a quali lap, hence they gave away grid slots early. Meredes for obvious reasons, too many engine problems.

[Ctrl300 0]

This is what Ron said. He isnt blaming his drivers for losing the title. planet f1 is putting a major spin on it and talking crap so dont be fooled

Thank you. I thought the whole story seemed wrong. Ron is a reasonable fellow, and knows that both Mercedes and Mclaren are to blame for the loss of the title(s) and not the drivers. Every driver make a couple of errors (some greater than others of cource) during the season, RD would never hold that against them. Bloody planet f1, should be banned alongside updatef1, talking crap 50% of the time in order to boost the hit rate on their sites.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

I only trust itvf1.com, bbc sport, and the official f1 site f1.com

[Ctrl300 0]

I only trust itvf1.com, bbc sport, and the official f1 site f1.com

I trust most of what is written on this site as well. Not the forum of course, thats all a bunch of crock...

[Chris Strange 0]

Ron is being stupid. If McLaren gave Kimi a reliable engine then they would have won the drivers championship and the constructors championship.

Of course Ron Dennis is stupid. Everybody knows that. Only a stupid man could run one of the best F1 team on the grid.

[Ctrl300 0]

Thats true. In order to run a top team one have to either be born a degenereted, colourblind crettin with a severe limp, or be a 75 year old blind Nigerian lepher with ten broken fingers. Everyone knows that

[ykickamoocow 0]

Of course Ron Dennis is stupid. Everybody knows that. Only a stupid man could run one of the best F1 team on the grid.

I said Ron is being stupid. I did not say Ron is stupid. There is a difference.

[Max Mosley 2]

"Fernando and the Renault team did a great job in 2005. They brought a good package which was reliable for the first race and did the job while our drivers psychologically overreacted to problems at the first round of the world championships and definitely didn't respond to the pressure."

This is what Ron said. He isnt blaming his drivers for losing the title. planet f1 is putting a major spin on it and talking crap so dont be fooled

He is clearly putting some of the blame on them, which is quite right imho, esp Monty of course.

or if Kimi had been a little easier on the car at Imola, where he was warned not to push hard and conserve the car as they knew the driveshaft wouldn't last if pushed, then things may have been a little different.

Kimi, McLaren and Mercedes all played their part in their own defeat, with the latter two playing the biggest part. McLaren as their car was clearly inferior to the Renault for the first 3 or 4 races and had to make an upgrade to the suspension package as they weren't getting enough heat into the tyres over a quali lap, hence they gave away grid slots early. Meredes for obvious reasons, too many engine problems.

Quite so nojvnof1! You have forgotten about Monty's pathetic "contribution" to the team's effort though.

[Chris Strange 0]

I said Ron is being stupid. I did not say Ron is stupid. There is a difference.

ok ok although I don't agree with you.

[Karta 0]

ok ok although I don't agree with you.

I have to say i agree that Ron was being stupid. For his image it is bad to try to blame drivers for package faults. Speed is not everything, have to finish with it too In the statement he leaves image that it was pretty much solely drivers fault.

[Senna 0]

or if Kimi had been a little easier on the car at Imola, where he was warned not to push hard and conserve the car as they knew the driveshaft wouldn't last if pushed, then things may have been a little different.

Where he retired on lap 9.

It must have been very flimsy.

[pumpdoc 2]

Where he retired on lap 9.

It must have been very flimsy.

Indeed, these are race cars, to be raced not babied...............

[AutoRacer5 0]

If they must be babied with like 5 laps to go, so be it.