Dennis wants to make a race of it 02 Mar 2003
McLaren Mercedes chief Ron Dennis has made a passionate plea for more genuine competition in 2003.
He was acutely aware of the effect of Ferrari's team orders at times in 2002, and said: "What Formula One needs more than anything else is some racing. And in 2002 there wasn't a race even between two cars! That's the difference between last year and when other teams have dominated."
In the past when McLaren or Williams have enjoyed technical superiority - such as 1988 or 1992 respectively - each team allowed its drivers to race one another. The effect was frequently electrifying.
Dennis admitted that McLaren did not do a good enough job in 2002. "If Ferrari was a 10 last year, we should have been a 9.5 at least, and most of the time we were a seven or an eight. It's painful to admit that, but it was a fact."
The McLaren Mercedes management is determined to do better in 2003. "I strongly believe that what Formula One needs, above all else, is a race," Dennis reiterated. "There are more likely to be some this year, and that is where we are focused right now."
