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SILVERSTONE, England - Team boss Eric Boullier has played down McLaren's sponsorship situation. The British team, already without a title sponsor since Vodafone's exit, is already in a two-year competitive slump and it now a long-time backer is departing.
Hugo Boss, a German fashion house that has sponsored McLaren for decades, is switching its sponsorship to Mercedes. McLaren's team boss Boullier denied the team was facing a financial problem.
Boullier was quoted by Italiaracing: "No, we have 32 sponsors even though you don't see them all on the team's shirts. I can guarantee that the support from Honda will be considerable."
McLAREN-MERCEDES DEAL TO END
He was referring to the upcoming works engine deal that will end McLaren's 20-year association with Mercedes.
Boullier insisted: "If you want to conquer this world you need to be a high-level team - and we are. You also need a good engine and the support of a manufacturer. We will have all of this in 2015."
He said the problems with the 2014 chassis were being addressed: "We lack aerodynamic downforce but I knew this would happen. I noticed it immediately when they showed me the features of the car in the various departments."
However Boullier was confident McLaren would also have top drivers in 2015, refusing to rule out even a driver of Fernando Alonso's calibre signing-up. "Yes, why not?" he asked. "We are an attractive team. The option with Button and Magnussen is in our favour but my job is to speak to other drivers to understand their situation.
"My goal is to have the best possible pair."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
Hugo Boss, a German fashion house that has sponsored McLaren for decades, is switching its sponsorship to Mercedes. McLaren's team boss Boullier denied the team was facing a financial problem.
Boullier was quoted by Italiaracing: "No, we have 32 sponsors even though you don't see them all on the team's shirts. I can guarantee that the support from Honda will be considerable."
McLAREN-MERCEDES DEAL TO END
He was referring to the upcoming works engine deal that will end McLaren's 20-year association with Mercedes.
Boullier insisted: "If you want to conquer this world you need to be a high-level team - and we are. You also need a good engine and the support of a manufacturer. We will have all of this in 2015."
He said the problems with the 2014 chassis were being addressed: "We lack aerodynamic downforce but I knew this would happen. I noticed it immediately when they showed me the features of the car in the various departments."
However Boullier was confident McLaren would also have top drivers in 2015, refusing to rule out even a driver of Fernando Alonso's calibre signing-up. "Yes, why not?" he asked. "We are an attractive team. The option with Button and Magnussen is in our favour but my job is to speak to other drivers to understand their situation.
"My goal is to have the best possible pair."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2014 F1 season – fresh reports every day.
